fffl 


SCENERY    IN    LOWER    CALIFORNIA. 


HISTORY 


—  OF   THE  — 


STjlTE  OF 


FROM  THE  PERIOD  OF  THE  CONQUEST  BY  SPAIN, 

TO  HER  OCCUPATION  BY  THE  UNITED 

STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

CONTAINING   AN   ACCOUNT  OF  THK  DISCOVERY    OF    THE    IMMENSE 

GOLD    MINES    AND     PLACERS,     A     DESCRIPTION     OF   HER 

MINERAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  RESOURCES,  WITH 

THRILLING  ACCOUNTS  OF  ADVENTURES 

AMONG     THE     MINERS. 


—   ALSO,   — 


A  BRIEF   ACCOUNT  OF  THE  FORMATION   OF  THE   GOVERNMENT 
AND  CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   STATE. 


WITH   NUMEROUS    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


BY  JOHN  FROST,  LL.D. 


NEW  YORK: 
HURST     &     CO.,     PUBLISHERS, 

122    NASSAU    STREET. 


-ARGYLE    PRESS, 


PREFACE. 

THE  occupation  of  California  by  the  people 
of  the  United  States,  and  the  discovery,  of  its 
rich  gold  mines,  form  a  new  era  in  the  history 
of  the  world.  According  to  present  appear- 
ances, these  events  forebode  a  complete  revolu- 
tion in  monetary  and  commercial  affairs.  The 
receipts  of  gold  from  California  have  already 
produced  a  sensible  effect  on  the  financial  af- 
fairs of  our  country ;  and  far-seeing  people  pre- 
dict an  entirely  new  state  of  things  with  respect 
to  the  relative  value  of  money  and  property. 

Still  more  important  effects  are  anticipated 
from  the  establishment  of  a  new,  rich,  and  en- 
terprising State  of  the  American  Union  on  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific.  Railroads  across  the  con- 
tinent will  soon  transport  the  rich  products  of 
Eastern  Asia,  by  a  quick  transit,  to  the  Atlan- 
tic cities  and  to  Europe;  and  a  passage  to 
China  or  India,  which  was  formerly  a  serious 
undertaking,  will  become  a  pleasant  excursion. 

2031341  '* 


4  FR1FAC1. 

To  gratify  the  public  curiosity  with  respect 
to  the  history  and  present  state  of  this  new 
member  of  the  Union,  is  the  purpose  of  this 
volume.  In  preparing  it,  the  author  has 
passed  rapidly  over  the  early  history,  and 
dwelt  chiefly  on  recent  events,  and  the  actual 
state  of  the  country,  as  he  considered  that,  by 
this  course,  utility  would  be  more  effectually 
oonsulted. 

In  the  Appendix  he  has  introduced  the  con- 
stitution of  California,  and  some  official  docu- 
ments, whose  importance  demanded  their  pre- 
aervation  in  a  permanent  fonn. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  L 

BIOGRAPHICAL  OUTUNJ  OF  CALIFORNIA 


CHAPTER  IT. 
,T  OF  CALIFORNIA ~ U 

CHAPTER  LH. 
FEOM  IHS  FIRST  SBTTLEMENT  TO  THE  REVOLUTION  nr  MEXICO 20 


CHAPTER  IV. 

FSOM  IHB  REVOLUTION  TILL  THE  WAR  BETWEEN  THE  UNITED  STATES  AND  MEXICO  •     24 

CHAPTER  V.     ' 

FEOM  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  WAR  TILL  ITS  CLOSE 27 

CHAPTER  VL 

DISCOVERT  OF  THB  GOLD  PLACERS 38 


CHAPTER  VIL 
ADVENTURES  OF  SOME  OF  THE  MINERS,  AND  INCIDENTS  CONNECTED  WITH  MINING-      58 

CHAPTER  Vin 
DESCBIPTION  OF  SOME  OF  THB  CITIES  AND  TOWNS  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BEFORE  AND  APTEB 

THJ!  DISCOVERT  OF  THB  GOLD  MlNM •  •         87 

CHAPTER  DL 
THB  FORMATION  OF  A  STATB  GOVBRNMENT 118 

CHAPTER  X. 

PRESENT  STATE  OF  CALIFORNIA 132 


CHAPTER  XL 
Tax  DIFFEMNT  ROUTES  TO  CALIFORNIA,  A\I>  TUEIR  RESPECTIVE  CHARACTERS 181 

CHAPTER  XH. 
RBCINT  EVENTS  OSNNZCTED  WITH,  AND  HAPPENING  IN,  CAiironNiA 218 

CHAPTER  XIIL 

TH>  METEKALOOICAL  AND  OTHER  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  GOLD,  AKD  THB  MODS  OF  DIS- 
HHOCI3IIINO  IT  WHi.N  FOCND ;  TOGETIIEB  WITH  THE  ASSAY,  BSDUCTION,  AND  B> 


(6) 


OONTE  NTS- 
CHAPTER  XIV. 


ADDITIONAL  kicjmr  ETBNTS *-•  •  ~*  •-•  — »**•  *•** '"    *** 

CHAPTER  XV. 
A  OKNEUI,  VDJW  OF  CALIFORNIA  AT  THE  PRESENT  ran ——•  268 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
NATBEAL  HISTORY  OF  GAUVOUU ».^-..^.^. ««..~~.  278 


THfc 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA 


CHAPTER  I. 

GEOGRAPHICAL   OUTLINE    OP   CALIFORNIA 

THE  territory  called  California  is  that  part  of  North 
America  situated  on  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  extending 
from  the  42°  of  north  latitude  southwardly  to  22°  48', 
and  from  107°  longitude,  west  from  Greenwich,  to 
124°.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Oregon  terri- 
tory, east  by  territories  belonging  to  the  United 
States  and  the  Gulf  of  California,  and  on  the  south 
and  west  by  Mexico  and  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Califor- 
nia is  naturally  divided  into  two  portions ;  the  penin- 
sula; called  Lower  California,  and  the  territory  ex- 
tending northward  from  the  peninsula,  on  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  called  Upper  California.  The  line  of  division 
between  Upper  and  Lower  California  runs  nearly 
along  the  32d  parallel  of  latitude,  westward  from  the 
head  of  the  Gulf  of  California. 

The  peninsula  of  California  is  about  one  hundred 
and  thirty  miles  in  breadth,  where  it  joins  the  conti- 
nent. It  extends  south-eastwardly,  generally  dimi 
nishing  in  breadth,  till  it  terminates  in  two  points. 
The  point  farthest  south-west  is  called  Cape  Sao 

(T) 


8  HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

Lucas.  The  other,  sixty  miles  east  by  north  of  San 
Lucas,  is  called  Cape  Palmo.  The  peninsula  is  about 
seven  hundred  miles  long 

Upper  California  extends,  upon  the  Pacific,  from 
the  32d  parallel  of  latitude,  northward  to  the  42d 
parallel,  a  distance  of  about  seven  hundred  miles.  It 
is  separated  from  Oregon  by  a  range  of  highlands, 
called  the  Snowy  Mountains,  or.  by  the  Spaniards, 
the  Sierra  Nevada.  The  eastern  limit  of  Upper  Cali- 
fornia is  rather  uncertain.  By  some  it  is  considered 
as  including  the  region  watered  by  the  Colorado  River, 
while  others  limit  it  by  the  great  mountain  range  that 
extends  along  the  western  side  of  the  continent. 

The  Californian  peninsula  seems  to  be  a  prolonga- 
tion of  the  great  western  chain  of  mountains.  It 
consists  entirely  of  high,  stony  ridges,  separated  by 
sandy  valleys,  and  contains  very  few  tracts  of  level 
ground.  In  a  general  view,  it  might  be  termed  an 
irreclaimable  desert.  The  scarcity  of  rain  and  the 
small  number  of  springs  of  water,  with  the  intense 
neat  of  the  sun's  rays,  uninterrupted  in  their  passage, 
render  the  surface  of  the  country  almost  destitute  of 
vegetation.  Yet  in  the  small  oases  formed  by  the 
passage  of  a  rivulet  through  a  sandy  defile,  where 
irrigation  is  possible,  the  ground  may  be  made  to  pro- 
duce all  the  fruits  of  tropical  climes,  of  the  finest 
quality,  and  in  great  quantity.  The  soutnern  portion 
of  the  peninsula  contains  several  gold  mines,  which 
have  been  worked,  though  not  to  any  great  extent. 
On  the  Pacific  side,  the  coast  offers  many  excellent 
harbors,  but  the  lack  of  fresh  water  near  them  proves 
an  obstacle  in  the  way  of  their  occupation.  The 
principal  harbors  are  the  Bay  of  la  Magdalena, 
separated  from  thfc  ocean  by  the  long  island  of  Santa 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  S 

Margarita,  the  Bay  of  Sebastian  Vizcaino,  east  of  tke 
Isle  of  Cedaro,  Port  San  Bartolome',  sometimes  called 
Turtle  Bay,  and  Port  San  Quintin,  a  good  harbor, 
with  fresh  water  in  the  vicinity,  and  called  by  the  ~ 
Spanish  navigators  the  Port  of  the  Eleven  Thousand 
Virgins. 

The  great  westernmost  range  of  mountains  runs 
northward  from  the  peninsula,  nearly  parallel  with 
the  Pacific  coast,  to  the  34th  parallel  of  latitude,  be- 
low which  is  Mount  San  Bernardin,  one  of  the  highest 
peaks  in  California,  about  forty  miles  from  the  ocean. 
Farther  northward,  the  space  between  the  mountains 
and  the  coast  becomes  wider,  and,  in  a  few  places, 
reaches  eighty  miles.  The  intermediate  region  is  tra- 
versed by  lines  of  hills,  or  smaller  mountains  joined 
with  the  great  range.  The  most  considerable  of  the 
inferior  ridges  extends  from  Mount  San  Bernardin 
to  the  south  side  of  the  entrance  of  the  Bay  of  San 
Francisco,  where  it  is  called  the  San  Bruno  Moun- 
tains. Between  this  range  and  the  coast  runs  the 
Santa  Barbara  range,  terminating  at  the  Cape  of 
Pines,  on  the  south-west  side  of  the  Bay  of  Monterey. 
Bordering  on  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  on  the  east 
side,  is  the  Bolbona  ridge.  Beyond  these  are  lines  of 
highlands  which  stretch  from  the  great  chain  and  ter- 
minate in  capes  on  the  Pacific. 

There  are  many  streams  among  the  valleys  of 
Upper  California,  some  of  which,  in  the  rainy  season, 
swell  to  a  considerable  size.  But  no  river,  except  the 
Sacramento,  falling  into  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  is 
known  to  flow  through  the  maritime  range  of  moun- 
tains, from  the  interior  to  the  Pacific.  The  valleys 
thus  watered  offer  abundant  pasturage  for  cattle. 

The  principal  harbors  of  Upper  California  are  those 


10  FTSTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

offered  by  the  Bays  of  San  Francisco,  Monterey^ 
San  Pedro,  Santa  Barbara,  and  San  Diego.  The 
Bay  of  San  Francisco  is  one  of  the  finest  harbors  in 
the  world.  The  combined  fleets  of  all  the  naval 
Dowers  of  Europe  might  there  find  safe  shelter.  It 
is  surrounded  by  ranges  of  high  hills,  and  joins  the 
Pacific  by  a  passage  two  miles  wide  and  three  in 
'ength.  The  other  harbors  can  only  be  frequented  in 
the  fine  season,  and  afford  a  very  insecure  shelter  for 
vessels.  San  Diego  is  the  farthest  south.  The  bay 
at  that  place  runs  ten  miles  eastward  into  the  land, 
arid  is  separated  from  the  ocean  by  a  ridge  of  sand. 
Proceeding  northward,  about  seventy  miles,  the  Bay 
of  San  Pedro  is  next  met.  It  is  open  to  the  south- 
west winds,  but  sheltered  from  the  north-west.  About 
a  hundred  miles  north-west  of  San  Pedro,  is  the  har- 
bor of  Santa  Barbara.  It  is  an  open  roadstead  shel- 
tered from  the  north  and  west  winds,  but  exposed  to 
the  violence  of  the  south-westerly  storms,  which  pre- 
vail during  the  greater  part  of  the  year.  A  hundred 
miles  farther  north  is  the  Bay  of  Monterey.  It  is 
extensive,  and  lies  in  an  indentation  of  the  coast, 
somewhat  semicircular.  The  southernmost  portion  is 
separated  from  the  ocean  by  the  point  of  land  ending 
at  the  Cape  of  Pines.  In  the  cove  thus  formed, 
stands  the  town  of  Monterey,  for  some  time  the  capi- 
tal of  California.  The  harbor  affords  but  a  poor  shel- 
ter from  storms. 

The  Sacramento  and  San  Joachim  are  the  princi 
pal  rivers  of  California,  but  the  Sacramento  alone  is 
navigable  to  any  extent  worthy  of  mention.  There 
are  numerous  small  streams  and  lakes  in  the  interior, 
the  principal  outlet  of  which  is  the  Colorado  River, 
The  valleys  through  which  these  streams  flow  ar« 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  1] 

fertile,  and  afford  good  pasture  for  cattle;  but  the 
remainder  of  the  region  between  the  maritime  and 
the  Colorado  rangss  of  mountains  is  a  barren  waste 
of  sand. 


CHAPTER  II. 

DISCOVERY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

THE  first  exploration  of  the  Pacific  coasts  of  North 
America  was  made  by  the  Spaniards,  in  the  sixteenth 
century.  After  Hernando  Cortes  had  completed  the 
conquest  of  Mexico,  he  commenced  exploring  the  ad- 
joining seas  and  countries ;  no  doubt,  with  the  hope 
of  discovering  lands  richer  than  those  which  he  had 
conquered,  and  which  would  afford  new  fields  for  the 
exercise  of  his  daring  enterprise  and  undaunted  per- 
severance. He  employed  vessels  in  surveying  the 
soasts  of  the  Mexican  Gulf,  and  of  the  Atlantic  more 
northerly.  Vessels  were  built  upon  the  Pacific  coast 
for  like  purposes,  two  of  which  as  early  as  1526, 
were  sent  to  the  East  Indies. 

The  first  expedition  of  the  Spaniards,  sent  along 
the  western  coast  of  Mexico,  was  conducted  by  Pedro 
Nunez  de  Maldonado,  an  officer  under  Cortes.  He 
sailed  from  the  mouth  of  the  Zacatula  River,  in  July, 
1528,  and  was  six  months  engaged  in  surveying  the 
shores  from  his  starting-place  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Santiago  River,  a  hundred  leagues  farther  north-west. 
The  territory  he  visited  was  then  called  Xalisco.  and 
inhabited  by  fierce  tribes  of  men  who  had  never  been 


12  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

conquered  !>y  the  Mexicans.  Flattering  accounts  of 
the  fertility  of  the  country  and  of  the  abundance  of 
the  precious  metals  in  it  were  brought  back  by  the  ex- 
pedition, and  these  served  to  excite  the  attention  of 
tiie  Spaniards.  When  the  expedition  returned  Cortes 
was  in  Spain,  whither  he  had  gone  to  have  his  title 
and  powers  more  clearly  defined.  He  returned  in 
1530  with  full  power  to  make  discoveries  and  con- 
quests upon  the  western  coast  of  Mexico.  From  the 
opposition  of  his  enemies,  he  was  prevented  from  fit- 
ting out  an  expedition  before  1532.  The  most  north- 
ern post  upon  the  Pacific  coast,  occupied  by  the 
Spaniards,  was  Aguatlan,  beyond  which  the  coast  was 
little  known. 

The  expedition  sent  by  Cortes  to  the  north-western 
coast  of  Mexico  was  commanded  by  his  kinsman,  Diego 
Hurtado  de  Mendoza.  It  sailed  from  Tehuantepec 
in  July,  1532,  and  consisted  of  two  vessels.;  one  com- 
manded by  Diego  Hurtado  de  Mendoza  in  person,  and 
the  other  by  Juan  de  Mazuela.  Mendoza  proceeded 
slowly  along  the  shore  of  the  continent  as  far  as  the 
27°  of  latitude,  where,  his  crew  being  mutinous,  he 
sent  back  one  of  his  vessels  with  the  greater  part  of 
his  men,  and  continued  the  voyage  with  the  remaining 
vessel.  Vague  reports  were  afterwards  received  that 
Mendoza's  vessel  was  thrown  ashore  somewhere  to  the 
northward,  and  that  all  on  board  had  perished.  The 
vessel  which  *was  sent  back,  was  stranded  near  the 
mouth  of  the  River  Vanderas,  and  after  the  murder 
of  the  greater  part  of  the  crew,  she  was  plundered 
by  Nuno  de  Guzman,  Governor  of  Xalisco.  About 
the  middle  of  the  next  year,  Cortes  received  the  news 
of  the  return  of  the  vessel  which  Mendoza  had  sent 
back,  and  he  immediately  despatched  two  ships 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  18 

the  command  of  Hernando  Grijalva  and  Diego  Be- 
cerra,  in  search  of  the  other.  These  ships  sailed  on 
the  30th  of  September,  1533,  hut  were  soon  sepa- 
rated. Grijalva  discovered  the  islands  of  St.  Thomas, 
as  he  called  them — a  group  of  islands  about  fifty 
leagues  from  the  coast.  He  remained  there  till  the 
following  spring,  and  then  returned  home.  Becerra 
proceeded  north-westward ;  but  his  crew  mutinied, 
and  he  was  murdered  by  Fortuno  Ximenes.  The 
mutineers,  under  Ximenes,  then  steered  directly  west 
from  the  main  land,  and  soon  reached  a  coast  not 
known  to  them  before.  They  landed,  and  soon  after 
Ximenes  and  nineteen  men  were  killed  by  the  na- 
tives. The  rest  of  the  men  carried  the  vessel  over 
to  Xalisco,  where  she  was  seized  by  Nuno  de  Guz- 
man. 

Soon  after  these  unlucky  expeditions,  Nuno  de 
Guzman  sent  out  several  exploring  parties  in  a  north- 
erly direction,  one  of  which  traced  the  western  shore 
as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Colorado,  and  brought  back 
accounts  of  a  rich  and  populous  country  and  splendid 
cities  in  the  interior.  When  Cortes  became  acquainted 
with  the  seizure  of  his  vessels,  a  dispute  arose  be- 
tween him  and  Nuno  de  Guzman,  which  almost  led  to 
a  battle  between  their  forces.  But  no  action  oc- 
curred, and  Cortes,  having  heard  of  the  newly  disco- 
vered country,  which  was  said  to  abound  in  the  finest 
pearls,  embarked  at  Chiametla,  with  a  portion  of  his 
men,  and  set  sail  for  the  new  land  of  promise.  On 
the  3d  of  May,  1535,  the  day  of  the  Invention  of  the 
Holy  Cross,  according  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Calen- 
dar, Cortes  arrived  in  the  bay  where  Ximenes  and 
his  fellow-mutineers  had  met  their  fate  in  the  previous 
year.  In  honor  of  the  day,  the  place  was  called 


14  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

Santa  Cruz,  and  possession  of  it  was  taken  in  the 
/name  of  the  Spanish  sovereign. 

The  country  claimed  by  Cortes  for  Spain,  was  the 
J  south-east  portion  of  the  peninsula,  which  was  after- 
|    wards  called  California.     The  bay,  called  by  Cortes, 
\   Santa  Cruz,  was,  perhaps,  the  same  now  known  as 
<*  Port  La  Paz,  about  a  hundred  miles  from  the  Pacific, 
"  near  the  24th  parallel  of  latitude.     Cortes  landed  on 
the  shore  of  this  bay,  rocky  and  forbidding  as  it  ap- 
peared, with  a  hundred  and  thirty  men,  and  forty 
horses.     He  then  sent  back  two  of  his  ships  to  Chia- 
metla,  to  bring  over  the  rest  of  his  troops.     The  ves- 
sels soon  returned  with  a  portion  of  the  troops,  and 
being  again  despatched  to  the  Mexican  coast,  only 
one  of  them  returned.    The  other  was  wrecked  on  her 
way.     Cortes  then  took  seventy  men  and  embarked 
for  Xalisco,  from  which*  he  returned  Justin  time  to 
save  his  troops  from  death  by  famine.     A  year  was 
spent  in  these  operations,  and  the  troops  began  to 
grow  discontented.     A  few  pearls  had  been  found  on 
the  coast,  but  the  country  was  found  to  be  barren, 
and  without  attractions  for  Spaniards. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  wife  of  Cortes  hearing  reports 
of  his  ill  success,  sent  a  vessel  to  Santa  Cruz,  and  en- 
treated him  to  return.  He  then  learned  that  he  had 
been  superseded  in  the  government  of  New  Spain  by 
Don  Antonio  de  Mendoza,  who  had  already  entered  the 
capital  as  viceroy.  Cortes  returned  to  Mexico,  and 
soon  after,  recalled  the  vessels  and  troops  from  Santa 
Cruz. 

The  viceroy,  Mendoza,  had  received  some  informa- 
tion concerning  the  country  north-west  of  Mexico, 
from  de  Cabeza-Vaca  and  two  other  Spaniards,  who 
bad  wandered  nine  years,  through  forests  and  deserts, 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  16 

from  Tampa  Bay,  Florida,  until  they  reached  Culia- 
can.  They  had  received  from  the  natives,  accounts 
of  rich  and  populous  countries  situated  to  the  north- 
west. Mendoza,  wishing  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  the 
reports,  sent  two  friars,  according  to  the  advice  of 
Las  Casas,  to  make  an  exploration.  They  were  ac- 
companied by  a  Moor  who  had  crossed  the  continent 
with  Cabeza-Vaca  and  his  friends,  and  they  set  out 
from  Culiacan  on  the  7th  of  March,  1539. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  the  friars,  Cortes  sent 
out  his  last  expedition.  It  was  commanded  by  Fran- 
cisco de  Ulloa,  and  consisted  of  three  vessels,  well 
equipped.  Sailing  from  Acapulco,  on  the  8th  of  July 
1539.  Ulloa  reached  the  Bay  of  Santa  Cruz,  after 
losing  one  of  his  vessels  in  a  storm.  From  Santa 
Cruz  he  started  to  survey  the  coast  towards  the  north-  / 
west.  He  completely  examined  both  shores  of  the 
Gulf  of  California,  and  discovered  the  fact  of  the 
connection  of  the  peninsula  with  the  main  land,  near 
the  32°  of  latitude.  This  gulf  Ulloa  named  the  Sea 
of  Cortes.  On  the  18th  of  October,  he  returned  to 
Santa  Cruz,  and  on  the  29th  again  sailed  with  the 
object  of  exploring  the  coasts  farther  west.  He 
rounded  the  point  now  called  Cape  San  Lucas,  the 
southern  extremity  of  California,  and  sailed  along  the 
coast  towards  the  north.  The  Spaniards  proceeded 
slowly,  as  they  were  opposed  by  north-western  storms, 
and  often  landed  and  fought  with  the  natives.  la 
January,  1540,  Ulloa  reached  the  island  under  the 
28th  parallel  of  latitude,  near  the  coast,  which  they 
named  the  Isle  of  Cedars.  There  he  remained  till 
April,  when  one  of  the  ships,  bearing  the  sick  and 
accounts  of  the  discoveries,  was  sent  back  to  Mexico. 
The  returning  vessel  was  seized  at  Santiago  by  the 


16  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

officers  of  the  viceroy.  The  fate  of  the  remaining 
vessel  is  uncertain.  Some  of  the  writers  of  that  day 
asserting  that  he  continued  his  voyage  as  far  north  ae 
the  30°  of  latitude,  and  returned  safely  to  Mexico- 
while  one  asserts  that  nothing  more  was  heard  of  him 
after  the  return  of  the  vessel  he  sent  hack. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  two  friars  and  the  Moor 
penetrated  a  considerable  distance  into  the  interior  of 
the  continent,  and  sent  home  glowing  Accounts  of  rich 
and  delightful  countries  which  they  said  they  had  dis- 
covered. The  inhabitants  had,  at  first,  been  hostile, 
and  had  killed  the  Moor ;  but  in  the  end  submitted  tc 
the  authority  of  the  King  of  Spain.  Mendoza,  be- 
lieving the  accounts  of  the  friars  to  be  strictly  true, 
prepared  an  expedition  for  the  conquest  of  the  coun- 
tries they  described.  Disputes  with  the  different 
Spanish  chieftains  occupied  some  months,  at  the  end 
of  which  Cortes  returned  to  Spain,  in  disgust.  Men- 
doza despatched  two  bodies  of  troops,  one  by  land, 
the  other  by  sea,  to  reconnoitre  the  newly  discovered 
land,  and  clear  the  way  for  conquest.  The  marine 
expedition  was  undertaken  by  two  ships,  under  the 
command  of  Fernando  de  Alarcon,  who  sailed  from 
Santiago  on  the  9th  of  May,  1540,  and  proceeding 
north-west  along  the  coast,  he  reached  the  head  of  the 
California  Gulf,  in  August  of  the  same  year.  There 
he  discovered  the  river  now  callel  the  Colorado. 
The  stream  was  ascended  to  the  distance  of  eighty 
leagues,  by  Alarcon  and  some  of  his  men,  in  boats ; 
but  all  their  inquiries  were  unsatisfactorily  answered, 
and  it  was  determined  to  return  to  Mexico.  The  ves- 
sels returned  safely  before  the  end  of  the  year. 

The  land  forces  sent,  at  the  same  time,  to  the  north- 
west, were  composed  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  and 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  17 

commanded  by  Francisco  Vasquez  de  Coronado,  who 
had  been  appointed  governor  of  New  Gallicia,  in  place 
of  Nuno  de  Guzman.  The  party  left  Culiacan  on  the 
22d  of  April,  1540,  and  took  their  way  north,  follow- 
ing the  course  described  by  the  friars.  They  found 
the  route  which  had  been  represented  as  easy,  almost 
impassable.  They  made  their  way  over  mountains, 
and  deserts,  and  rivers,  and,  in  July,  they  reached  the 
country  called  Cibola  by  the  natives,  but  found  it  a 
half  cultivated  region,  thinly  inhabited  by  a  people 
destitute  of  the  wealth  and  civilization  they  had  been 
represented  as  possessing.  What  had  been  represented 
as  seven  great  cities,  were  seven  small  towns,  rudely 
built.  A  few  Aurquoises  and  some  gold  and  silver 
supposed  to  be  good,  constituted  the  amount  of  what 
had  been  termed  immense  quantities  of  jewels,  gold 
and  silver.  The  Spaniards  took  possession  of  the 
country  and  wanted  to  remain  and  settle  there.  But 
Vasquez  refused  to  acquiesce  ;  and  after  naming  one 
of  the  towns  he  visited,  Granada,  he  started  for  the 
north-west,  in  search  of  other  countries.  The  region 
called  Cibola  by  the  inhabitants,  which  Vasquez 
visited,  is  the  territory  now  called  Sonora,  and  is 
situated  about  the  head  waters  of  the  Rivers  Yaqui 
and  Gila,  east  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  Gulf  of 
California.  The  movements  of  the  Spaniards  after 
leaving  Cibola,  in  August,  1540,  have  been  the  subject 
of  very  vague  and  contradictory  accounts.  All  that 
is  certain  is,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  force  soon 
returned  to  Mexico,  and  that  Vasquez,  with  the 
remainder,  wandered  through  the  interior  for  nearly 
two  years  longer,  when,  being  disappointed  in  his 
expectations,  he  returned  to  Mexico  in  1542. 
In  the  spring  of  1542,  two  vessels  were  placed  under 
2 


18  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

the  command  of  Juan  Roderiguez  Cabrillo,  a  Portn 
guese  navigator  of  great  reputation.  The  two  vessels 
Bailed  from  Navidad,  a  small  port  in  Xalisco,  in  June, 
1542.  They  rounded  Cape  San  Lucas,  and  proceeded 
north-west,  along  the  coast,  as  far  as  the  88th  degree 
of  latitude,  when  he  was  driven  back,  and  took  refuge 
in  a  harbor  of  one  of  the  San  Barbara  islands.  There 
Cabrillo  died  and  the  command  devolved  on  Barto- 
lome  Ferrelo.  Ferrelo  was  a  zealous  and  determined 
man,  and  he  resolved  to  proceed  with  the  expedition 
He  sailed  towards  the  north,  and  on  the  26th  of 
February,  reached  a  promontory  near  the  41st  parallel 
of  latitude,  which  he  named  Stormy  Cape.  On  the 
1st  of  March,  the  ships  reached  the  44th  parallel,  but 
they  were  again  driven  south ;  and  the  men  being 
almost  worn  out,  Ferrelo  resolved  to  go  back  to  Mexico. 
He  arrived  at  Navidad  on  the  14th  of  April,  1543. 
The  promontory  called  Stormy  Cape  by  Ferrelo,  was 
the  most  northern  portion  of  California  visited  by  that 
navigator,  and  it  is  probably  the  same  which  is  now 
called  Cape  Mendocino. 

From  all  accounts  that  they  had  been  able  to  collect, 
the  Spaniards  concluded  that  neither  rich  and  popu- 
lous countries  existed  beneath  the  40th  parallel  of 
latitude,  nor  was  there  any  navigable  passage  between 
the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  Oceans  to  be  found  in  the 
same  region.  They,  therefore,  ceased  to  explore  the 
north-western  territory  for  some  time  after  the  return 
of  Ferrelo  in  1543. 

Having  thus  given  a  somewhat  detailed  account  of 
the  discovery  and  explorations  of  the  territory  now 
called  California,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  merely  mention 
the  various  expeditions  that  visited  it  prior  to  the  first 
regular  settlement.  In  the  spring  of  1579,  California 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORN.i.  19 

was  visited  by  Sir  Francis  Drake,  the  English  naviga 
tor,  who  landed  on  the  shores  of  a  bay  supposed  to  be 
that  of  San  Francisco.  He  formally  took  possession 
of  the  country  in  the  name  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  and 
called  it  New  Albion.  He  left  California  on  the  22d 

/• 

of  July,  1579.  In  the  spring  of  1596,  Sebastian 
Viscaino,  under  orders  from  the  viceroy  of  Mexico, 
attempted  to  plant  colonies  on  the  peninsula  of  Cali- 
fornia, but  the  country  was  soon  abandoned  on  account 
of  the  barrenness  of  the  soil  and  the  ferocity  of  the 
natives.  Viscaino  visited  the  coast  of  Upper  Califoi 
nia  in  1602,  and  discovered  and  named  some  of  the 
places  Cabrillo  had  discovered  and  named  long  before 
The  Port  San  Miguel  of  Cabrillo  was  named  Port  San 
Diego ;  Cape  Galera  was  named  Cape  Conception, 
the  name  now  borne  by  it ;  the  Port  of  Pines  was 
named  Port  Monterey.  This  was  the  last  expedition 
made  by  the  Spaniards  along  the  coast  of  California 
for  more  than  a  hundred  and  sixty  years. 

Various  attempts  were  made  to  establish  colonies, 
garrisons,  and  fishing  or  trading  ports,  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  peninsula  of  California,  during  the  seven- 
teenth  century,  but  all  failed,  either  from  the  want  of 
funds,  the  sterility  of  the  country,  or  the  hostility  of 
the  natives.  The  pearl  fishery  in  the  gulf  was  the 
principal  bait  that  attracted  the  Spaniards,  and  they 
succeeded  in  obtaining  a  considerable  quantity,  some 
of  which  were  very  valuable. 


20  HISTOfiY  Of  CALIFOBMU 


CHAPTER   III. 

FROM   THE    FIRST    SETTLEMENT    TO   THE    REVOLUTION 
IN   MEXICO. 

THE  first  establishment  of  the  Spaniards  in  Califor- 
nia, was  made  by  the  Jesuits,  in  November,  1397. 
The  settlement  was  called  Loreto,  and  rounded  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  peninsula,  about  two  hundred 
miles  from  the  Pacific.  On  entering  California,  tha 
Jesuits  encountered  the  same  obstacles  which  had 
before  prevented  a  settlement  of  the  country.  The 
land  was  so  sterile,  that  it  scarcely  yielded  sustenance 
to  the  most  industrious  tiller,  and  as  the  settlements 
were  all  located  near  the  sea,  fishing  was  the  resource 
of  the  settlers  to  make  up  the  deficiency  of  food.  The 
natives  continued  hostile,  and  killed  several  of  the 
Jesuit  fathers.  By  perseverance  and  kindness,  the 
Jesuits  overcame  all  the  obstacles  with  which  they  met, 
and  within  sixty  years  after  their  entrance  into  Califor- 
nia, they  had  established  sixteen  missions,  extending 
along  the  eastern  side  of  the  peninsula,  from  Cape 
San  Lucas  to  the  head  of  the  gulf.  '  Each  of  these 
establishments  consisted  of  a  church,  a  fort,  garrisoned 
by  a  few  soldiers,  and  some  stores  and  dwelling-houses, 
all  under  the  control  of  the  resident  Jesuit  father. 
,  Each  of  the  missions  formed  the  centre  of  a  district 
/  containing  several  villages  of  converted  Indians.  None 
I  of  the  Jesuits  visited  the  western  coast  of  the  peninsula 
\  except  on  one  occasion,  in  1716. 

Great  exertions  were  made  by  the  settlers  to  acquire 


HISTORY  0»  CALIFORNIA.  21 

a  knowledge  of  the  geography,  natural  history  and 
languages  of  the  peninsula,  and  they  appears  to  have 
been  generally  successful.  The  result  of  their  re- 
searches were  published  in  Madrid,  in  1757,  and  the 
work  was  entitled  a  "  History  of  California."  They 
surveyed  the  whole  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  California, 
and,  in  1709,  Father  Kuhn,  one  of  the  Jesuit  fathers, 
ascertained  beyond  doubt  the  connection  of  the  penin- 
sula with  the  continent,  which  had  been  denied  for  a 
century.  But  all  the  labors  of  the  Jesuits  were  brougET 
to  an  end  in  1767.  In  that  year,  Charles  III.  of 
Spain,  issued  a  decree,  banishing  members  of  that 
order  from  the  Spanish  territories  ;  and  a  strong 
military  force,  under  command  of  Don  Gasper  de 
Portola,  was  despatched  to  California,  and  soon  put 
an  end  to  the  rule  of  the  Jesuits  by  tearing  them  from 
their  converts. 

The  Spanish  government  did  not  intend  to  abandon 
California.  The  peninsula  immediately  became  a 
province  of  Mexico,  and  was  provided  with  a  civil  and 
military  government,  subordinate  to  the  viceroy  of 
that  country.  The  mission  fell  under  the  rule  of  the 
Dominicans,  and  from  their  mode  of  treatment,  most 
of  the  converts  soon  returned  to  their  former  state  of 
barbarism.  The  Spaniards  soon  formed  establishments 
on  the  western  side  of  the  peninsula.  In  the  spring 
of  1769,  a  number  of  settlers,  with  some  soldiers  and 
Franciscan  friars,  marched  through  the  peninsula  to- 
wards San  Diego.  They  reached  the  bay  of  San  Diego 
after  a  toilsome  journey,  and  the  settlement  on  the 
shore  of  the  bay  was  begun  in  the  middle  of  May, 
1769.  An  attempt  was  made,  soon  after,  to  establish 
a  colony  at  Port  Monterey ;  but  the  party  under 
Portola  that  went  in  search  of  the  place,  passed  further 


22  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

on  to  the  bay  of  San  Francisco,  and  could  not  retrace 
their  steps  before  the  cold  weather  set  in,  and  they 
then  returned  to  San  Diego.  The  people  left  at  San 
Diego  had  been  several  times  attacked  by  the  natives, 
and  after  the  return  of  Portola's  party  they  almost 
perished  for  want  of  food.  But  a  supply  arrived  on 
the  very  day  upon  which  they  had  agreed  to  abandon 
the  place  and  return  to  Mexico.  Portola  again  set 
out  for  Monterey,  and  there  effected  a  settlement. 
Parties  of  emigrants  from  Mexico  came  to  the  western 
shore  of  California  during  the  year  1770,  and  establish- 
ments were  made  on  the  coast  between  San  Diego  and 
Monterey.  The  multiplication  of  their  cattle,  inde- 
pendent of  the  fruits  of  agricultural  labor,  before  1775, 
made  the  settlers  of  Upper  California  able  to  resist 
the  perils  to  which  their  situation  exposed  them. 

In  order  to  give  efficiency  to  the  operations  on  the 
western  coast  of  North  America,  the  Spanish  govern- 
ment selected  the  port  of  San  Bias,  in  Mexico,  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Gulf  of  California,  for  the  establish- 
ment of  arsenals,  ship-yards  and  warehouses,  and 
made  it  the  centre  of  all  operations  undertaken  in  that 
quarter.  A  marine  department  was  created  for  the 
special  purpose  of  advancing  the  interests  of  the 
Spaniards  in  the  settlement  of  the  western  shore  of 
California.  By  the  energy  displayed  in  managing 
this  department  the  Spaniards  succeeded  in  making 
eight  establishments  on  the  Pacific  coast  between  the 
California  peninsula  and  Cape  Mendocino,  before 
1779.  The  most  southern  post  was  San  Diego,  and 
the  most  northern,  San  Francisco,  on  the  great  bay 
of  the  same  name.  The  establishments  were  almost 
entirely  military  and  missionary,  the  object  of  the 
Spaniards  being  solely  the  occupation  of  the  country, 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  28 

The  missions  were  under  the  control  of  the  Francis- 
cans, who,  unlike  the  Jesuits,  took  little  care  to  exert 
themselves  in  procuring  information  concerning  the 
country  in  which  they  were  established. 

Various  expeditions  for  exploring  the  coast  of  Upper 
California  above  Cape  Mendocino,  were  made  by  tho 
Spaniards.  One  of  these  proceeded  as  far  north  as 
the  latitude  of  41  degrees,  and  some  men  were  landed 
en  the  shores  of  a  small  bay,  just  beyond  Cape  Men- 
docino, and  gave  the  harbor  the  name  of  Port  Trinidad. 
The  small  river  whioh  flows  into  the  Pacific  near  the 
place  where  they  landed  was  called  Pigeon  River,  from 
the  great  number  of  those  birds  in  the  neighborhood 
of  it.  The  Indians  appeared  to  be  a  peaceable  and 
industrious  race,  and  conducted  themselves  towards 
the  Spaniards  in  the  most  inoffensive  manner.  In 
the  same  year,  1775,  Bodega,  a  Spanish  commander, 
returning  from  a  voyage  extended  as  far  north  as  the 
58th  degree  of  latitude,  discovered  a  small  bay  which 
had  not  previously  been  described,  and  he  accordingly 
gave  it  his  own  name,  which  it  still  retains.  This  Bay 
of  Bodega  is  situated  a  little  north  of  the  38th  degree 
of  latitude. 

Few  events  worth  recording  occurred  in  California, 
during  the  whole  period  of  fifty  years,  from  the  first 
establishment  of  the  Spaniards  on  the  western  coast  till 
the  termination  of  the  Mexican  war  of  independence. 
An  attempt  of  the  Russians  to  form  a  settlement  on  the 
shores  of  the  Bay  of  Bodego,  in  1815,  was  met  with  a 
remonstrance  from  the  governor  of  California.  The 
remonstrance  of  the  governor  was  disregarded,  and 
his  commands  to  quit  the  place  disobeyed.  The  Rus- 
sian agent,  Kushof,  denied  the  right  of  the  Spaniards 
to  the  territory,  and  the  governor  being  unable  to 


24  HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

enforce    his  commands,  the    intruders    kept 

sion  of  the  ground  until  1840,  when  they  left  of  theJ? 

own  accord. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

FROM  THE  REVOLUTION  TILL  THE  WAR  BETWEEN  THJ 
UNITED   STATES   AND   MEXICO. 

BEFORE  the  commencement  of  the  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence in  Mexico,  the  missions  in  California  were, 
to  some  extent,  fostered  by  the  Spanish  government, 
and  supplies  were  sent  to  them  regularly.  But  when 
the  war  began,  the  remittances  were  reduced,  and  the 
establishments  soon  began  to  decay.  After  the  over- 
throw of  the  Spanish  rule,  in  1822,  the  territory  of 
California  was  divided  into  two  portions.  The  penin- 
sula was  then  called  Lower  California,  and  the  whole 
of  the  continental  territory  called  Upper  California. 
When  the  Mexicans  adopted  a  constitution,  in  1824, 
each  of  these  territories  became  entitled  to  send  one 
representative  to  the  National  Congress.  At  the 
same  time,  the  adult  Indians  who  could  be  considered 
civilized,  were  declared  citizens  of  the  republic,  and 
had  lands  given  to  them.  This,  of  course,  freed  them 
from  submission  to  the  missionaries,  who,  thus  deprived 
of  their  authority,  either  returned  to  Spain  or  Mexico, 
or  took  refuge  in  other  lands.  The  Indians  being 
free  from  restraint,  soon  sank  to  a  low  depth  of  bar- 
barism and  vice. 

Immediately  after  the  overthrow  of  the  Spaniai 


HISTOBY   OP  CALIPOMC1A.  85 

authorities,  the  ports  of  Califbrma  began  to  b«  tht 
resort  of  foreigners,  principally  whalers  and  traders 
from  the  United  States.  The  trade  in  which  they 
engaged,  that  of  exchanging  manufactured  goods  for 
the  provisions,  hide  and  tallow  furnished  by  the 
natives,  was  at  first  irregular,  but  as  it  increased,  it 
became  more  systematic,  and  mercantile  houses  were 
established  in  the  principal  ports.  The  Mexican 
government  became  dissatisfied  with  this  state  of 
things,  and  ordered  the  governor  of  Upper  California 
lo  enforce  the  laws  which  prohibited  foreigners  from 
entering  or  residing  in  the  territories  of  Mexico  with- 
out a  special  permission  from  the  authorities.  Accord- 
ingly, in  1828,  a  number  of  American  citizens  were 
seized  at  San  Diego,  and  kept  in  confinement  until 
1830.  In  that  year,  an  insurrection  broke  out, 
headed  by  General  Solis,  and  the  captured  Americana 
were  of  some  assistance  in  suppressing  it,  and,  in  con- 
sideration of  their  services,  they  were  permitted  to 
leave  the  territory. 

The  Mexican  government  strove  to  prevent  the 
evils  expected  to  flow  from  the  presence  of  numbers 
of  foreigners  in  California,  by  establishing  colonies  of 
their  own  citizens  in  the  territory.  A  number  of 
persons  were  sent  out  from  Mexico,  to  settle  on  the 
lands  of  the  missions,  but  they  never  reached  their 
destination.  The  administration  which  originated  the 
scheme  was  overthrown,  and  the  new  authorities 
ordered  the  settlers  to  be  driven  back  to  Mexico.  In 
1836,  the  federal  system  was  abolished  by  the  Mexi- 
can government,  and  a  new  constitution  adopted, 
which  destroyed  all  state  rights,  and  established  a 
central  power.  This  was  strenuously  resisted  in  Cali- 
fornia. The  people  rose,  and  drove  the  Mexican 
B 


£6  HISTORY    OF    JALIFOKNIA. 

officers  from  the  country,  declaring  that  they 
remain  independent  until  the  federal  constitution  was 
restored.  The  general  government  issued  strong  pro- 
clamations against  the  Californians,  and  sent  an  expe- 
dition to  re-establish  its  authority.  But  General 
Urrea,  by  whom  the  expedition  was  commanded, 
declared  in  favor  of  the  federalists,  and  the  inhabitants 
governed  themselves  until  July,  1837,  when  they 
swore  allegiance  to  the  new  constitution. 

Things  went  on  quietly  in  California  until  1842. 
In  that  year,  Commodore  Jones,  while  cruising  in  the 
Pacific,  received  information  which  led  him  to  believe 
that  Mexico  had  declared  war  against  the  United 
States.  He  determined  to  strike  a  blow  at  the  sup- 
posed enemy,  and,  accordingly,  he  appeared  before 
Monterey,  on  the  19th  of  October,  1842,  with  the 
frigate  United  States  and  the  sloop-of-war  Cyane. 
He  demanded  the  surrender  of  all  the  castles,  posts, 
and  military  places,  on  penalty,  if  refused,  of  the  visi- 
tation of  the  horrors  of  war.  The  people  were  asto- 
nished. A  council  decided  that  no  defence  could  be 
made,  and  every  thing  was  surrendered  at  once  to  the 
unexpected  Americans.  The  flag  of  the  United  States 
was  hoisted,  and  the  commodore  issued  a  proclamation 
to  the  Californians,  inviting  them  to  submit  to  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  which  -would  pro- 
tect them  in  the  exercise  of  their  rights.  The  procla- 
mation was  scarcely  issued,  before  the  commodore 
became  aware  of  the  peaceable  relations  existing 
between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  and  he  accord- 
ingly restored  the  possession  of  Monterey  to  the 
authorities,  and  retired  with  his  forces  to  his  ships, 
just  twenty-four  hours  after  the  surrender.  This 
affair  irritated  the  inhabitants  considerably,  and,  nc 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  27 

doubt,  tended  to  increase  the  ill-feeling  before  exist- 
ing between  Mexico  and  the  people  of  the  United 
States. 


CHAPTER    V. 

PBOM  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  WAR  TILL  ITS  CLjoK. 

WAR  was  declared  by  Mexico  against  the  United 
States,  in  May,  1846.  The  same  month,  orders  were 
transmitted  to  Commodore  Sloat,  commanding  the 
Pacific  squadron,  instructing  him  to  protect  the 
interests  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  near  his 
station,  and  to  employ  his  forces  to  the  best  advantage 
in  operations  directed  against  the  Mexican  territory 
on  the  Pacific.  The  fleet  under  Commodore  Sloat 
was  the  largest  the  Americans  ever  sent  to  that  quar- 
ter, and  the  men  were  anxious  to  commence  active 
operations.  Soon  after  receiving  his  first  orders,  the 
commodore  was  again  instructed  to  take  and  keep 
possession  of  Upper  California ;  or,  at  least,  of  the 
principal  ports. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  Commodore  Sloat  left  Mazat- 
lan,  in  the  flag-ship  Savannah,  and  on  the  2d  of  July, 
Beached  Monterey,  in  Upper  California.  There  he 
found  the  Cyane  and  Levant,  and  learned  that  the 
Portsmouth  was  at  San  Francisco,  as  previously 
arranged.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  Captain  Mer- 
yine  was  sent  to  demand  the  surrender  of  Monterey. 
The  Mexican  commandant  replied  that  he  was  not 
authorized  to  surrender  the  place,  but  referred  Com- 


•28  HISTORY   OF    CALIFOR1TCA. 

modore  Sloat  to  the  commanding-general  of  Califiw 
nia.  A  force  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  marines  and  eea 
men  was  immediately  landed,  under  Captain  Mer  ine, 
and  they  marched  to  the  custom-house.  There  thej 
hoisted  the  American  flag  amid'  cheers  and  a  salute  of 
twenty-one  guns.  The  proclamation  of  Commodore 
Sloat  was  then  read  and  posted  about  the  town. 

After  taking  possession  of  Monterey,  Commodoi 
Sloat  despatched  a  courier  to  the  commanding-gener  »1 
of  California,  summoning  him  to  surrender  every  thiiig 
under  his  control  in  the  country,  and  assuring  hire  of 
protection  if  he  should  comply.  The  general  refused, 
and  said  he  would  defend  the  country  as  long  as  he 
could  reckon  on  a  single  person  to  join  his  cause.  A 
summons  to  surrender  was  also  sent  to  the  governor 
of  Santa  Barbara,  but  no  answer  was  returned. 
Orders  were  despatched  to  Commander  Montgomery, 
*n  the  Portsmouth,  at  San  Francisco,  directing  him  to 
take  possession  of  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  and 
hoist  the  flag  of  the  United  States  at  Yerba  Buena. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  the  day  after  the  receipt  of  his 
orders,  Montgomery  landed  at  Yerba  Buena  with 
seventy  seamen  and  marines,  and  hoisted  the  American 
flag  in  the  public  square,  amid  the  cheers  of  the 
people.  A  proclamation  was  then  posted  to  the  flag 
staff,  and  Montgomery  addressed  the  people.  The 
greater  part  of  the  seamen  and  marines  then  returned 
to  the  ship,  leaving  Lieutenant  H.  B.  Watson  with  a 
small  guard,  formally  installed  as  military  occupant 
of  the  post.  Thirty-two  of  the  male  residents  of 
Yerba  Buena  were  enrolled  as  a  volunteer  corps, 
choosing  their  own  officers.  Lieutenant  Missroon  was 
despatched  with  a  small  party  of  these  volunteers  tc 
reconnoitre  the  Presidio  and  fort.  He  returned  the 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  29 

same  day,  and  reported  that  the  Presidio  had  been 
abandoned,  and  that  the  fort,  seven  miles  from  the 
town,  was  dilapidated  and  mounted  only  a  few  old 
pieces  of  cannon.  The  flag  of  the  United  States  had 
been  displayed  from  its  ramparts.  On  the  llth, 
Montgomery  informed  Commodore  Sloat  that  the  flag 
of  the  United  States  was  then  flying  at  Yerba  Buena, 
Slitter's  Fort,  on  the  Sacramento,  Bodega,  on  the 
coast,  and  Sonoma.  The  inhabitants  of  these  places 
appeared^  to  be  satisfied  with  the  protection  afforded 
them  by  the  Americans. 

On  the  13th  of  July,  Commodore  Sloat  sent  a  flag 
to  the  foreigners  of  the  pueblo  of  San  Jose,  about 
seventy  miles  from  Monterey,  in  the  interior,  and 
appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace  in  place  of  the  alcaldes. 
On  the  15th,  Commodore  Stockton  arrived  at  Mon- 
terey, in  the  frigate  Congress ;  and  Commodore  Sloat 
being  in  bad  health,  the  command  devolved  upon 
Stockton,  and  Sloat  returned  home.  The  operations 
of  Commodore  Stockton,  from  the  23d  of  July  to  the 
28th  of  August,  1846,  have  been  rapidly  sketched  by 
himself  in  his  despatches  to  the  secretary  of  the  navy. 
From  these  we  condense  a  short  account. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  the  commodore  organized  the 
"  California  Battalion  of  Mounted  Riflemen."  Captain 
Fremont  was  appointed  major,  and  Lieutenant  Gil- 
lespie  captain  of  the  battalion.  The  next  day,  fhey 
were  embarked  on  board  the  sloop-of-war  Cyane, 
Commander  Dupont,  and  sailed  from  Monterey  for 
San  Diego,  in  order  to  land  south  of  the  Mexican 
force,  consisting  of  500  men,  under  General  Castro^ 
well  fortified  at  a  place  three  miles  from  the  city.  A 
few  days  afterwards,  Commodore  Stockton  sailed  in 
the  Congress  for  San  Pedro,  thirty  miles  from  Mont*- 


30  HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

rey,  and  having  landed,  marched  for  the  MexicaE 
camp.  When  he  arrived  within  twelve  miles  of  the 
Mexicans,  they  fled  in  small  parties,  in  different  direc- 
tions. Most  of  the  principal  officers  were  afterwards 
taken,  but  the  mounted  riflemen  not  getting  up  in 
time,  most  of  the  men  escaped.  On  the  13th  of 
August,  Commodore  Stockton  heing  joined  by  eighty 
riflemen,  under  Major  Fremont,  entered  the  capital 
of  California,  Cuidad  de  los  Angeles,  or  the 
"City  of  the  Angels."  Thus,  in  less  than  a  month 
after  Stockton's  assuming  command,  the  American 
flag  was  flying  from  every  commanding  position 
in  California,  conquered  by  three  hundred  and  sixty 
men,  mostly  sailors. 

The  form  of  government  established  in  California, 
after  the  conquest,  was  as  follows :  The  executive 
power  was  vested  in  a  governor,  holding  office  for  four 
years  unless  sooner  removed  by  the  ^-asident  of  the 
United  States.  The  governor  was  to  reside  in  the 
territory,  be  commander-in- chief  of  the  army  thereof, 
perform  all  the  duties  of  a  superintendent  of  Indian 
affairs,  have  a  pardoning  and  reprieving  power,  com- 
mission all  persons  appointed  to  office  under  the  laws 
of  said  territory,  and  approve  all  laws  passed  by  the 
legislature  before  they  took  effect.  There  was  the 
office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Territory  established, 
whdSe  principal  duty  was  to  preserve  all  the  laws  and 
proceedings  of  the  legislative  council,  and  all  the  acts 
and  proceedings  of  the  governor.  The  legislative 
power  was  vested  in  the  governor  and  a  council  of 
seven  persons,  who  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor 
at  first,  and  hold  their  office  for  two  years ;  afterwards 
they  were  to  be  elected  by  the  people.  All  the  laws 
->f  Mexico,  and  the  municipal  officers  3xis*ing  in  thf 


HI8TOBT   OF   CALIFORNIA.  81 

territory  before  the   conquest,  were  continued  antU 
altered  by  the  governor  and  council. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  1846,  Commodore  Stockton 
adopted  a  tariff  of  duties  on  all  goods  imported  fro» 
foreign  parts,  of  fifteen  per  cent,  ad  valorem,  and  » 
tonnage  duty  of  fifty  cents  per  ton  on  all  foreign  ves- 
sels. On  the  15th  of  September,  when  the  election! 
were  held,  Walter  Colton,  the  chaplain  of  the  frigate 
Congress,  was  elected  Alcalde  of  Monterey.  In  th* 
mean  time,  a  newspaper  called  the  "  Californian,"  tad 
been  established  by  Messrs.  Colton  and  Semple.  Thia 
was  the  first  newspaper  issued  in  California. 

Early  in  September,  Commodore  Stockton  withdrew 
his  forces  from  Los  Angeles,  and  proceeded  with  his 
squadron  to  San  Francisco.  Scarcely  had  he  arrived 
when  he  received  intelligence  that  all  the  country 
below  Monterey  was  hi  arms  and  the  Mexican  flag 
again  hoisted.  The  Californians  invested  the  "  City 
of  the  Angels,"  on  the  23d  of  September.  That 
place  was  guarded  by  thirty  riflemen  under  Captain 
Gillespie,  and  the  Californians  investing  it  numbered 
300.  Finding  himself  overpowered,  Captain  Gillespie 
capitulated  on  the  30th,  and  thence  retired  with  all 
the  foreigners  aboard  of  a  sloop-of-war,  and  sailed  for 
Monterey.  Lieutenant  Talbo-t,  who  commanded  only 
nine  men  at  Santa  Barbara,  refused  to  surrender,  and 
marched  out  with  his  men,  arms  in  hand.  The  frigate 
Savannah  was  sent  to  relieve  Los  Angeles,  but  she 
did  not  arrive  till  after  the  above  events  had  occurred 
Her  crew,  numbering  320  men,  landed  at  San  Pedro 
and  marched  to  meet  the  Californians.  About  half 
way  between  San  Pedro  and  Los  Angeles,  about 
fifteen  miles  from  their  ship,  the  sailors  found  the 
tnemy  drawn  up  on  a  plain.  The  Californiana  were 


82  HISTORF    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

mounted  on  fine  horses,  and  with  artillery,  had  every 
advantage.  The  sailors  were  forced  to  retreat  with  a 
loss  of  five  killed  and  six  wounded. 

Commodore  Stockton  came  down  in  the  Congress 
to  San  Pedro,  and  then  marched  for  the  "  City  of  the 
Angels,"  the  men  dragging  six  of  the  ship's  guns.  At 
the  Rancho  Sepulvida,  a  large  force  of  the  Californians 
was  posted.  Commodore  Stockton  sent  one  hundred 
men  forward  to  receive  the  fire  of  the  enemy  and  then 
fall  back  upon  the  main  body  without  returning  it.  The 
main  body  was  formed  in  a  triangle,  with  the  guns 
hi  J  by  the  men.  By  the  retreat  of  the  advance  party, 
the  enemy  were  decoyed  close  to  the  main  force,  when 
the  wings  were  extended  and  a  deadly  fire  openei 
upon  the  astonished  Californians.  More  than  a  hun* 
dred  were  killed,  the  same  number  woiyided,  and  their 
whole  force  routed.  About  a  hundred  prisoners  were 
taken,  many  of  whom  were  at  the  time  on  parole  and 
had  signed  an  obligation  not  to  take  up  arms  during 
the  war. 

Commodore  Stcckton  soon  mounted  his  men  and 
prepared  for  operations  on  shore.  Skirmishes  followed, 
and  were  continually  occurring  until  January,  1847, 
when  a  decisive  action  occurred.  General  Kearny 
had  arrived  in  California,  after  a  long  and  painful 
march  overland,  and  his  co-operation  was  of  great 
service  to  Stockton.  The  Americans  left  San  Diego 
on  the  29th  of  December,  to  march  to  Los  Angeles. 
The  Californians  determined  to  meet  them  on  their 
route,  and  decide  the  fate  of  the  country  in  a  general 
battle.  The  American  force  amounted  to  six  hundred 
men,  and  was  composed  of  detachments  from  the  ships 
Congress,  Savannah,  Portsmouth  and  Cyane,  aided 
by  General  Kearny,  with  sixty  men  on  foot,  from  the 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  6'4 

first  regiment  of  United  States  dragoons,  and  Captain 
Gillespie  with  sixty  mounted  riflemen.  The  troops 
marched  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  in  ten  days,  and, 
on  the  8th  of  January,  they  found  the  Californians  in 
a  strong  position  on  the  high  bank  of  the  San  Gabriel 
river,  with  six  hundred  mounted  men  and  four  pieces 
of  artillery,  prepared  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the 
river.  The  Americans  waded  through  the  water, 
dragging  their  guns  with  them,  exposed  to  a  galling 
fire  from  the  enemy,  without  returning  a  shot.  When 
they  reached  the  opposite  shore,  the  Californians 
charged  upon  them,  but  were  driven  back.  They 
then  charged  up  the  bank  and  succeeded  in  driving 
the  Californians  from  their  post.  Stockton,  with  his 
force,  continued  his  march,  and  the  next  day,  in  cross- 
ing the  plains  of  Mesa,  the  enemy  made  another 
attempt  to  save  their  capital.  They  were  concealed 
with  their  artillery  in  a  ravine,  until  the  AmericanE 
came  within  gun-shot,  when  they  opened  a  brisk  fire 
upon  their  right  flank,  and  at  the  same  time  charged 
both  their  front  and  rear.  But  the  guns  of  the  Cali- 
fornians were  soon  silenced,  and  the  charge  repelled. 
The  Californians  then  fled,  and  the  next  morning  the 
Americans  entered  Los  Angeles  without  opposition. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed  and  wounded  did 
not  exceed  twenty,  while  that  of  their  opponents 
reached  between  seventy  and  eighty. 

These  two  battles  decided  the  contest  in  California. 
General  Flores,  governor  and  commandant-general  of 
the  Californians,  as  he  styled  himself,  immediately 
after  the  Americans  entered  Los  Angeles,  made  his 
escape  and  his  troops  dispersed.  The  territory  be- 
came again  tranquil,  and  the  civil  government  was 
soon  in  operation  again  in  the  places  where  it  had 


34  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

baan  interrupted  by  the  revolt.  Commodore  Stockton 
and  General  Kearny  having  a  misunderstanding 
about  their  respective  powers,  Colonel  Fremont 
exercised  the  duties  of  governor  and  Commander-in- 
chief  of  California,  declining  to  obey  the  orders  of 
General  Kearny. 

The  account  of  the  adventures  and  skirmishes  with 
which  the  small  force  of  United  States  troops  under 
General  Kearny  met,  while  on  tiieir  march  to  San 
Diego,  in  Upper  California,  is  one  of  the  most  in- 
teresting to  which  the  contest  gave  birth.  The  party, 
which  consisted  of  one  hundred  men  when  it  started 
from  Santa  F£,  reached  Warner's  rancho,  the  fron- 
tier settlement  in  California,  on  the  Sonoma  route, 
on  the  2d  of  December,  1846.  They  continued  their 
march,  and  on  the  5th  were  met  by  a  small  party  of 
volunteers,  under  Captain  Gillespie,  sent  out  by  Com- 
modore Stockton  to  meet  them,  and  inform  them  of 
the  revolt  of  the  Californians.  The  party  encamped 
for  the  night  at  Stokes's  rancho,  about  forty  miles 
from  San  Diego.  Information  was  received  that 
an  armed  party  of  Californians  was  at  San  Pas- 
qual,  three  leagues  from  Stokes's  rancho.  A  party 
of  dragoons  was  sent  out  to  reconnoitre,  and  they  re- 
turned by  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  6th. 
Their  information  determined  General  Kearny  to 
attack  the  Californians  before  daylight,  and  arrange- 
ments were  accordingly  made.  Captain  Johnson  was 
given  the  command  of  an  advance  party  of  twelve 
dragoons,  mounted  upon  the  best  horses  in  possession 
of  the  party.  Then  followed  fifty  dragoons,  under 
Captain  Moore,  mounted  mostly  on  the  tired  mules 
they  had  ridden  from  Santa  F£ — a  distance  of  1050 
miles.  Next  came  about  twenty  volunteers,  under 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  8fi 

Captain  Gibson.  Then  followed  two  mountain  howit- 
zers, with  dragoons  to  manage  them,  under  charge  of 
Lieutenant  Davidson.  The  remainder  of  the  dragoons 
and  volunteers  were  placed  under  command  of  Major 
Swords,  with  orders  to  follow  on  the  trail  with  the 
Oaggage. 

As  the  day  of  December  6th  dawned,  the  onemy  at 
8an.  Pasqual  were  seen  to  be  already  in  the  saddle, 
and  Captain  Johnson,  with  his  advance  guard,  made  a 
furious  charge  upon  them ;  he  being  supported  by  the 
dragoons,  the  Californians  at  length  gave  way.  They 
had  kept  up  a  continual  fire  from  the  first  appearance 
of  the  dragoons,  and  had  done  considerable  execution. 
Captain  Johnson  was  shot  dead  in  his  first  charge. 
The  enemy  were  pursued  by  Captain  Moore  and  his 
dragoons,  and  they  retreated  about  half  a  mile,  when 
seeing  an  interval  between  the  small  advance  party 
of  Captain  Moore  and  the  main  force  coming  to  his 
support,  they  rallied  their  whole  force,  and  charged 
with  their  lances.  For  five  minutes  they  held  the 
ground,  doing  considerable  execution,  until  the  arrival 
cf  the  rest  of  the  American  party,  when  they  broke 
tad  fled.  The  troops  of  Kearny  lost  two  captains, 
a  lieutenant,  two  sergeants,  two  corporals,  and  twelve 
privates.  Among  the  wounded  were  General  Kearny, 
Lieutenant  Warner,  Captains  Gillespie  and  Gibson, 
one  sergeant,  one  bugleman,  and  nine  privates.  The 
Californians  carried  off  all  their  wounded  and  dead 
except  six. 

On  the  7th  the  march  was  resumed,  and.  near  San 
Bernardo,  Kearny's  advance  encountered  and  defeated 
a  small  party  of  the  Californians  who  had  taken  post 
on  a  hill.  At  San  Bernardo,  the  troops  remained  till 
the  morning  of  the  llth,  when  they  were  joined  by  a 


36  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

party  of  sailors  and  marines,  under  Lieutenant  Gray 
They  then  proceeded  upon  their  march,  and  on  the 
12th,  arrived  at  San  Diego ;  having  thus  completed  a 
tiarch  of  eleven  hundred  miles  through  an  enemy's 
country,  with  but  one  hundred  men.  The  force  of 
General  Kearny  having  joined  that  of  Commodore 
Stockton,  the  expedition  against  Los  Angeles,  of 
which  we  have  given  an  account  in  this  chapter,  was 
successfully  consummated,  and  tranquillity  restored  in 
California.  General  Kearny  and  Commodore  Stock- 
ton returned  to  the  United  States  in  January,  1847, 
leaving  Colonel  Fremont  to  exercise  the  office  of 
governor  and  military  commandant  of  California.  .No 
further  events  of  an  importance  worth  recording  occur- 
red till  the  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

DISCOVERT   OF   THE   GOLD   PLACERS. 

BY  the  treaty  concluded  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico,  in  184T,  the  territory  of  Upper  Califor- 
nia became  the  property  of  the  United  States.  Little 
thought  the  Mexican  government  of  the  value  of  the 
land  they  were  ceding,  further  than  its  commercial 
importance  ;  and,  doubtless,  little  thought  the  buyers 
of  the  territory,  that  its  soil  was  pregnant  with  a 
wealth  untold,  and  that  its  rivers  flowed  over  golden 
beds. 

This   territory,    now  belonging  to   the   American 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  87 

Union,  embraces  an  area  of  448,961  square  ailes.  It 
extends  along  the  Pacific  coast,  from  about  the  thirty- 
second  parallel  of  north  latitude,  a  distance  of  near 
ceven  hundred  miles,  to  the  forty-second  parallel,  the 
southern  boundary  of  Oregon.  On  the  eust,  it  is 
bounded  by  New  Mexico.  During  the  fang  period 
which  transpired  between  its  discovery  and  its  cession 
to  the  United  States,  this  vast  tract  of  country  was 
frequently  visited  by  men  of  science,  from  all  parts 
of  the  world.  Repeated  examinations  were  made  by 
learned  and  enterprising  officers  and  civilians ;  but 
none  of  them  discovered  the  important  fart,  that  the 
mountain  torrents  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  were  con- 
stantly pouring  down  their  golden  san'ls  into  the 
valleys  of  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin.  The 
glittering  particles  twinkled  beneath  their  feet,  in  the 
ravines  which  they  explored,  or  glistened  in  the  water- 
courses which  they  forded,  yet  they  passed  them  by 
unheeded.  Not  a  legend  or  tradition  was  heard 
among  the  white  settlers,  or  the  aborigines,  that 
attracted  their  curiosity.  A  nation's  ransom  lay 
within  their  grasp,  but,  strange  to  say,  it  escaped  their 
notice — it  flashed  and  sparkled  all  in  vain.* 

The  Russian  American  Company  had  a.  large 
establishment  at  Ross  and  Bodega,  ninety  milea  north 
of  San  Francisco,  founded  in  the  year  1812  ;  and 
factories  were  also  established  in  the  territory  by  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company.  Their  agents  and  employes 
ransacked  the  whole  country  west  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  or  Snowy  Mountain,  in  search  of  game.  In 
1838,  Captain  Sutter,  formerly  an  officer  in  the  Swiss 

*  A  gold  placera  was  discovered  some  years  ago,  neat  the  missioo 
•f  San  Fernando,  but  it  was  very  little  worked,  on  account  of  the 
want  of  water. 


$8  HISTOBT  OP   CALIFORNIA. 

Guards  of  Charles  X.,  King  of  France,  emigi»te<l 
from  the  state  of  Missouri  to  Upper  California,  and 
obtained  from  the  Mexican  government  a  conditional 
grant  of  thirty  leagues  square  of  land,  bounded  on  the 
west  by  the  Sacramento  river.  Having  purchased 
the  stock,  arms,  and  ammunition  of  the  Russian 
establishment,  he  erected  a  dwelling  and  fortification 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  Sacramento,  about  fifty  miles 
from  its  mouth,  and  near  what  was  termed,  in  allusion 
to  the  new  settlers,  the  American  Fork.  This  formed 
the  nucleus  of  a  thriving  settlement,  to  which  Captain 
Sutter  gave  the  name  of  New  Helvetia.  It  is  situated 
at  the  head  of  navigation  for  vessels  on  the  Sacra- 
mento, in  latitude  38°  33'  45"  north,  and  longitude 
121°  20'  05"  west.  During  a  residence  of  ten  years 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  recently  discovered 
placards,  or  gold  regions,  Captain  Sutter  was  neither 
the  wiser  nor  the  richer  for  the  brilliant  treasures 
that  lay  scattered  around  him.* 

In  the  year  1841,  careful  examinations  of  the  Bay 
of  San  Francisco,  and  of  the  Sacramento  River  and 
its  tributaries,  were  made  by  Lieutenant  "Wilkes,  the 
commander  of  the  Exploring  Expedition ;  and  a  party 
under  Lieutenant  Emmons,  of  the  navy,  proceeded  up 
the  valley  of  the  Willamette,  crossed  the  intervening 
highlands,  and  descended  the  Sacramento.  In  1843-4, 
similar  examinations  were  made  by  Captain,  after- 
wards Lieutenant-Colonel  Fremont,  of  the  Topogra- 
phical Engineers,  and  in  1846,  by  Major  Emory,  of 
the  same  corps.  None  of  these  officers  made  any 
discoveries  of  minerals,  although  they  were  led  to 
conjecture,  as  private  individuals  who  had  visited  the 

*  Farnham's  Adventures  in  California.— Wilke*'s  Narrative  of  toe 
Bxploring  Expedition.— Fremont'f  Narrative. 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  88 

country  had  done,  from  its  volcanic  formation  and 
peculiar  geological  features,  that  they  might  be  found 
to  exist  in  considerable  quantities.* 

As  is  often  the  case,  chance  at  length  accomplished 
what  science  had  failed  to  do.  In  the  winter  of 
1847-8,  a  Mr.  Marshall  commenced  the  construction 
of  a  saw-mill  for  Captain  Sutter,  on  the  north  branch 
of  the  American  Fork,  and  about  fifty  miles  above 
New  Helvetia,  in  a  region  abounding  with  pine  timber. 
The  dam  and  race  were  completed,  but  on  attempting 
to  put  the  mill  in  motion,  it  was  ascertained  that  the 
tail-race  was  too  narrow  to  permit  the  water  to  escape 
with  perfect  freedom.  A  strong  current  was  then 
passed  in,  to  wash  it  wider  and  deeper,  by  which  a 
large  bed  of  mud  and  gravel  was  thrown  up  at  the 
foot  of  the  race.  Some  days  after  this  occurrence, 
Mr.  Marshall  observed  a  number  of  brilliant  particles 
on  this  deposit  of  mud,  which  attracted  his  attention. 
On  examining  them,  he  became  satisfied  that  they 
were  gold,  and  communicated  the  fact  to  Captain 
Sutter.  It  was  agreed  between  them,  that  the  cir- 
cumstance should  not  be  made  public  for  the  present ; 
but,  like  the  secret  of  Midas,  it  could  not  be  concealed. 
The  Mormon  emigrants,  of  whom  Mr.  Marshall  was 
one,  were  soon  made  acquainted  with  the  discovery, 
and  in  a  few  weeks  all  California  was  agitated  with 
the  starling  information. 

*  See  Faruham's  Adventures.  Wilkes's  and  Fremont's  Narratives, 
and  Emory's  Report.— In  1840,  Eugenio  Macnamara,  a  Catholic  priest 
and  Missionary,  obtained  a  grant  of  a  large  tract  of  land  between  the 
San  Joaquin  and  the  Sierra  Nevada,  the  Cosumnes  and  the  Tulares 
in  the  vicinity  of  San  Gabriel,  from  Pio  Pico,  governor  of  the  Califor- 
raas,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  upon  it  a  large  colony  of  Irish 
Catholics ;  but  the  grant  was  not  ratified  by  the  Central  Government, 
tnd  the  project  was  not  carried  into  effect.  There  is  no  evidence 
that  Father  Macnamara  was  aware  of  the  existence  of  gold  in  the 
valley  of  the  San  Joaquin 


40  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

Busin3ss  of  every  kind  was  neglected,  and  th* 
ripened  grain  was  left  in  the  fields  unliarvested. 
Nearly  the  whole  population  of  Upper  California  be- 
came infected  with  the  mania,  and  flocked  to  the 
mines.  Whalers  and  merchant  vessels  entering  th« 
ports  were  abandoned  by  their  crews,  and  the  Ameri 
can  soldiers  and  sailors  deserted  in  scores.  Upon  the 
disbandment  of  Colonel  Stevenson's  regiment,  most 
of  the  men  made  their  way  to  the  mineral  regions. 
Within  three  months  after  the  discovery,  it  was  com- 
puted that  there  were  near  four  thousand  persons, 
including  Indians,  who  were  mostly  employed  by  the 
whites,  engaged  in  washing  for  gold.  Various  modes 
were  adopted  to  separate  the  metal  from  the  sand  and 
gravel — some  making  use  of  tin  pans,  others  of  close- 
woven  Indian  baskets,  and  others  still,  of  a  rude 
machine  called  the  cradle,  six  or  eight  feet  long,  and 
mounted  on  rockers,  with  a  coarse  grate,  or  sieve,  at 
one  end,  but  open  at  the  other.  The  washings  were 
mainly  confined  to  the  low  wet  grounds,  and  the  mar- 
gins of  the  streams — the  earth  being  rarely  disturbed 
more  than  eighteen  inches  below  the  surface.  The 
value  of  the  gold  dust  obtained  by  each  man,  per  day, 
is  said  to  have  ranged  from  ten  to  fifty  dollars,  and 
sometimes  even  to  have  far  exceeded  that.  The  natu- 
ral consequence  of  this  state  of  things  was,  that  the 
price  of  labor,  and,  indeed,  of  every  thing,  rose  imme- 
diately from  ten  to  twenty  fold.* 

As  may  readily  be  conjectured,  every  stream  and 
ravine  in  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento  was  soon  ex- 
plored. Gold  was  found  on  every  one  of  its  tributa- 

»0ffic'al  Despatch  of  Colonel  Mason,  Commander  if  the  10th  M.li- 
tary  Department,  August  17,  1848.— Letters  of  Thomas  C.  I.arkin, 
U.  S.  C  nsul  at  Monterey,  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  June  I,  and 
Jane  28, 1848. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  41 

ries ;  but  the  richest  earth  was  discovered  near  the 
Rio  de  los  Plumas,  or  Feather  River,*  and  its  branches, 
the  Yuba  and  Bear  rivers,  and  on  Weber's  creek,  a 
tributary  of  the  American  Fork.  Explorations  were 
also  made  in  the  valley  of  the  San  Joaquin,  which 
resulted  in  the  discovery  of  gold  on  the  Cosumne's 
and  other  streams,  and  in  the  ravines  of  the  Coast 
Range,  west  of  the  valley,  as  far  down  as  Ciudad  de 
los  Angeles. 

In  addition  to  the  gold  mines,  other  important  dis- 
coveries were  made  in  Upper  California.  A  rich  vein 
of  quicksilver  was  opened  at  New  Almaden,  near  Santa 
Clara,  which,  with  imperfect  machinery, — the  heat  by 
which  the  metal  is  made  to  exude  from  the  rock  being 
applied  by  a  very  rude  process, — yielded  over  thirty 
per  cent.  This  mine — one  of  the  principal  advan- 
tages to  be  derived  from  which  will  be,  that  the  work' 
ing  of  the  silver  mines  scattered  through  the  territory 
must  now  become  profitable — is  superior  to  those 
of  Almaden,  in  Old  Spain,  and  second  only  to 
those  of  Idria,  near  Trieste,  the  richest  in  the 
world. 

Lead  mines  were  likewise  discovered  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Sonoma,  and  vast  beds  of  iron  ore  near 
the  American  Fork,  yielding  from  eighty -five  to  ninety 
per  cent.  Copper,  platina,  tin,  sulphur,  zinc,  and 
cobult,  were  discovered  every  where ;  coal  was  found 
to  exist  in  large  quantities  in  the  Cascade  range  of 
Oregon,  of  which  the  Sierra  Nevada  is  a  continuation ; 
and  in  the  vicinity  of  all  this  mineral  wealth,  there 

*Feafher  River  is  the  first  considerable  branch  of  the  Sacramento 
below  the  Prairie  Duties.  It  has  a  course  of  about  forty  miles,  and 
empties  into  the  main  river  about  fifteen  miles  above  New  He)»etia. 
Though  the  Sacramento  is  navigable  lor  vrosala  only  to  that  placo, 
boat*  can  pass  up  one  hundred  miles  furthoi  • 


«2  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA, 

are  immense  quarries  of  riarble  and  granite,  for 
building  purposes. 

Colonel  Mason  had  succeeded  Colonel  Fremont  in 
the  post  of  governor  of  California  and  military  com- 
mandant. A  regiment  of  New  York  troops,  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Stevenson,  had  been  ordered 
to  California  before  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  of 
peace,  and  formed  the  principal  part  of  the  military 
force  in  the  territory. 

Colonel  Mason  expressed  the  opinion,  in  his  official 
despatch,  that  "there  is  more  gold  in  the  country 
drained  by  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  rivers, 
than  will  pay  the  cost  of  the  [late]  war  with  Mexico 
a  hundred  times  over."  Should  this  even  prove  to  be 
an  exaggeration,  there  can  be  little  reason  to  doubt, 
when  we  take  into  consideration  all  the  mineral  re- 
sources of  the  country,  that  the  territory  of  California 
is  by  far  the  richest  acquisition  made  by  this  govern- 
ment since  its  organization.  v 

The  appearance  of  the  mines,  at  the  period  of 
Governor  Mason's  visit,  three  months  after  the  dis- 
covery, he  thus  graphically  describes  : 

"  At  the  urgent  solicitation  of  many  gentlemen,  ] 
delayed  there  [at  Butter's  Fort]  to  participate  in  the 
first  public  celebration  of  our  national  anniversary  at 
that  fort,  but  on  the  5th  resumed  the  journey,  and 
proceeded  twenty -five  miles  up  the  American  Fork  to 
a  point  on  it  now  known  as  the  Lower  Mines,  or  Mor- 
mon Diggins.  The  hill-sides  were  thickly  strewn  with 
canvas  tents  and  bush  arbors;  a  store  was  erected, 
and  several  boarding  shanties  in  operation.  The  day 
was  intensely  hot,  yet  about  two  hundred  men  were 
vt  work  in  the  full  glare  of  the  sun,  washing  for  gold 
— some  with  tin  pans,  some  with  close-woven  Indian 


HISTORY   OF   OALIFOKNTA.  48 

baskets,  but  the  greater  part  had  a  rude  machine, 
known  as  the  cradle.  This  is  on  rockers,  six  or  eight 
feet  long,  open  it  the  foot,  and  at  its  head  has  a  coarse 
grate,  or  sieve ;  the  bottom  is  rounded,  with  small 
cleats  nailed  across.  Four  men  are  required  to  work 
this  machine ;  one  digs  the  ground  in  the  bank  close, 
by  the  stream ;  another  carries  it  to  the  cradle  and 
empties  it  on  the  grate  ;  a  third  gives  a  violent  rock- 
ing motion  to  the  machine ;  while  a  fourth  dashes  on 
water  from  the  stream  itself. 

"  The  sieve  keeps  the  coarse  stones  from  entering 
the  cradle,  the  current  of  water  washes  off  the  earthy 
matter,  and  the  gravel  is  gradually  carried  out  at  the 
foot  of  the  machine,  leaving  the  gold  mixed  with  a 
heavy,  fine  black  sand  above  the  first  cleats.  The 
sand  and  gold,  mixed  together,  are  then  drawn  off 
through  auger  holes  into  a  pan  below,  are  dried  in  the 
sun,  and  afterward  separated  by  blowing  off  the  sand. 
A  party  of  four  men  thus  employed  at  the  lower 
mines,  averaged  $100  a  day.  The  Indians,  and  those 
who  have  nothing  but  pans  or  willow  baskets,  gradu- 
ally wash  out  the  earth  ancf  separate  the  gravel  bj 
hand,  leaving  nothing  but  the  gold  mixed  with  sand, 
which  is  separated  in  the  manner  before  described. 
The  gold  in  the  lower  mines  is  in  fine  bright  scales, 
of  which  I  send  several  specimens. 

"  From  the  mill  [where  the  gold  was  first  discovered]. 
Mr.  Marshall  guided  me  up  the  .  mountain  on  the 
opposite  or  north  bank  of  the  south  fork,  where,  in 
the  bed  of  small  streams  or  ravines,  now  dry,  a  great 
deal  of  coarse  gold  has  been  found.  I  there  saw 
several  parties  at  work,  all  of  whom  were  doing  very 
well ;  a  great  many  specimens  wera  shown  me,  some 
M  heavy  as  four  or  five  ounces  in  weight,  and  I  send 


44  HISTOKY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

three  pieces,  labeled  No.  5,  presented  by  a  Mr.  Spence 
You  will  perceive  that  some  of  the  specimens  accom- 
panying this,  hold  mechanically  pieces  of  quartz  ;  that 
the  surface  is  rough,  and  evidently  moulded  in  the 
crevice  of  a  rock.  This  gold  cannot  have  been  car- 
ried far  by  water,  but  must  have  remained  near  where 
it  was  first  deposited  from  the  rock  that  once  bound 
it.  I  inquired  of  many  people  if  they  had  encountered 
the  metal  in  its  matrix,  but  in  every  instance  they 
said  they  had  not ;  but  that  the  gold  was  invariably 
mixed  with  washed  gravel,  or  lodged  in  the  crevicea 
of  other  rocks.  All  bore  testimony  that  they  had 
found  gold  in  greater  or  less  quantities  in  the  numer- 
ous small  gullies  or  ravines  that  occur  in  that  moun- 
tainous region. 

"  On  the  7th  of  July  I  left  the  mill,  and  crossed  to 
a  stream  emptying  into  the  American  Fork,  three  or 
four  miles  below  the  saw-mill.  I  struck  this  stream 
(now  known  as  Weber's  creek)  at  the  washings  of 
Sunol  and  Co.  They  had  about  thirty  Indians  em- 
ployed, whom  they  payed  in  merchandise.  They  were 
getting  gold  of  a  character  similar  to  that  found  in 
the  main  fork,  and  doubtless  in  sufficient  quantities  to 
satisfy  them.  I  send  you  a  small  specimen,  presented 
by  this  company,  of  their  gold.  From  this  point,  we 
proceeded  up  the  stream  about  eight  miles,  where  we 
found  a  great  many  people  and  Indians — some  engaged 
in  the  bed  of  the  stream,  and  others  in  the  small  side 
valleys  that  put  into  it.  These  latter  aro  exceedingly 
rich,  and  two  ounces  were  considered  an  ordinary  yield 
for  a  day's  work.  A  small  gutter  not  more  than  a 
hundred  yards  long,  by  four  feet  wide  and  two  or  three 
feet  deep,  was  pointed  out  to  me  as  the  one  where  two 
men — William  Daly  and  Parry  Me  Coon — had,  a  <jhon 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  46 

time  before,  obtained  $17,000  worth  of  gold.  Captain 
Weber  informed  me  that  he  knew  that  these  two  men 
had  employed  four  white  men  and  about  a  hundred 
Indians,  and  that,  at  the  end  of  one  week's  work,  the^ 
paid  off  their  party,  and  had  left  $10,000  worth  of 
this  gold.  Another  small  ravine  was  shown  me,  from 
vhich  had  been  taken  upward  of  $12,000  worth  of 
£old.  Hundreds  of  similar  ravines,  to  all  appearances, 
are  as  yet  untouched.  1  could  not  have  credited  these 
reports,  had  I  not  seen,  in  the  abundance  of  the  pre- 
cious metal,  evidence  of  their  truth. 

"  Mr.  Neligh,  an  agent  of  Commodore  Stockton, 
had  been  at  work  about  three  weeks  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  showed  me,  in  bags  and  bottles,  over  $2000 
worth  of  gold  ;  and  Mr.  Lyman,  a  gentleman  of  edu- 
cation, and  worthy  of  every  credit,  said  he  had  been 
engaged,  with  four  others,  with  a  machine,  on  the 
American  Fork,  just  below  Sutler's  mill;  that  they 
worked  eight  days,  and  that  his  share  was  at  the  rate 
of  fifty  dollars  a  day;  but  hearing  that  others  were 
doing  better  at  Weber's  place,  they  had  removed  there, 
and  were  then  on  the  point  of  resuming  operations.  I 
might  tell  of  hundreds  of  similar  instances ;  but,  to 
illustrate  how  plentiful  the  gold  was  in  the  pockets  of 
common  laborers,  I  will  mention  a  single  occurrence 
which  took  place  in  my  presence  when  I  was  at 
Weber's  store.  This  store  was  nothing  but  an  arbor 
of  bushes,  under  which  he  had  exposed  for  sale  goods 
and  groceries  suited  to  his  customers.  A  man  came 
in,  picked  up  a  box  of  Seidlitz  powders,  and  asked  the 
price.  Captain  Weber  told  him  it  was  not  for  sale. 
The  man  offered  an  ounce  of  gold,  but  Captain  Weber 
told  him  it  only  cost  fifty  cents,  and  he  did  not  wish 
to  flell  it.  The  man  then  ciered  an  r  unce  and  a 


46  HisrroHY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

when  Captain  Weber  had  to  take  it.  The  prices  of 
all  things  are  high,  and  yet  Indians,  who  before  hardly 
knew  what  a  breech  cloth  was,  can  now  afford  to  buy 
the  most  gaudy  dreeses. 

'(  The  country  on  either  side  of  Weber's  creek  is 
much  broken  up  by  hills,  and  is  intersected  in  every 
direction  by  small  streams  or  ravines,  which  contain 
more  or  less  gold.  Those  that  have  been  worked  are 
barely  scratched ;  and  although  thousands  of  ounces 
have  been  carried  away,  I  do  not  consider  that  a  seri- 
ous impression  has  been  made  -upon  the  whole.  Every 
day  was  developing  new  and  richer  deposits ;  and  the 
only  impression  seemed  to  be,  that  the  metal  would  be 
fotind  in  such  abundance  as  seriously  to  depreciate  ic 
value. 

"  On  the  8th  of  July,  I  returned  to  the  lower  mines, 
and  on  the  following  day  to  Butter's,  where,  «m  the 
19th,  I  was  making  preparations  for  a  visit  to  the 
Feather,  Yuba,  and  Bear  Rivers,  when  I  received  a 
letter  from  Commander  A.  R.  Long,  United  States 
Navy,  who  had  just  arrived  at  San  Francisco  from 
Magadan  with  a  crew  for  the  sloop-of-war  Warren, 
with  orders  to  take  that  vessel  to  the  squadron  at  La 
Paz.  Ceptain  Long  wrote  to  me  that  the  Mexican 
Coagresfl  kad  adjourned  without  ratifying  the  treaty 
of  peace,  that  he  had  letters  from  Commodore  Jones, 
and  that  his  orders  were  to  sail  with  the  Warren  on  or 
before  the  20th  of  July.  In  consequence  of  these,  I 
determined  to  return  to  Monterey,  and  accordingly 
arrived  here  on  the  17th  of  July.  Before  leaving 
Satter's,  I  satisfied  myself  that  gold  existed  in  the  bed 
of  the  Feather  River,  in  the  Yuba  and  Bear,  and  in 
many  of  the  smaller  streams  that  lie  between  the 
latter  and  the  American  Fork ;  also,  that  it  had  beea 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  47 

found  in  the  Cosumnes  to  the  south  of  the  American 
•"Fork.  In  each  of  these  streams  the  gold  is  found  in 
email  scales,  whereas  in  the  intervening  mountains  it 
occurs  in  coarser  lumps. 

"Mr.  Sinclair,  wb,de  rancho  is  three  miles  above 
Sutter's,  on  the  north  side  of  the  American,  employs 
about  fifty  Indians  on  the  north  fork,  not  far  from  its 
junction  with  the  main  stream.  He  had  been  engaged 
about  five  weeks  when  I  saw  him,  and  up  to  that  Jime 
his  Indians  had  used  simply  closely  woven  willow 
baskets.  His  net  proceeds  (which  I  saw)  were  about 
$16,000  worth  of  gold.  He  showed  me  the  proceeds 
of  his  last  week's  work — fourteen  pounds  avoirdupois 
of  clean-washed  gold. 

"  The  principal  store  at  Sutter's  Fort,  that  of 
Brannan  and  Co.,  had  received  in  payment  for  goods 
$36,000  (worth  of  this  gold)  from  the  1st  of  May  to 
the  10th  of  July.  Other  merchants  had  also  made 
extensive  sales.  Large  quantities  of  goods  were  daily 
sent  forward  to  the  mines,  as  the  Indians,  heretofore 
so  poor  and  degraded,  have  suddenly  become  con- 
sumers of  the  luxuries  of  life.  I  before  mentioned 
that  the  greater  part  of  the  farmers  and  rancheroa 
had  abandoned  their  fields  to  go  to  the  mines.  This 
is  not  the  case  with  Captain  Sutter,  who  was  carefully 
gathering  his  wheat,  estimated  at  40,000  bushels. 
Flour  is  already  worth  at  Sutter's  thirty-six  dollars  a 
barrel,  and  soon  will  be  fifty.  Unless  large  quantities 
of  breadstufis  reach  the  country,  much  suffering  will 
occur  ;  but  as  each  man  is  now  able  to  pay  a  large 
price,  it  is  believed  the  merchants  will  bring  from  Chili 
and  Oregon  a  plentiful  supply  for  the  coming  winter. 

"  The  most  moderate  estimate  I  could  obtain  from 
men  acquainted  with  the  subject,  was,  that  upward  ot 


48  iriSTORT   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

four  thousand  men  were  working  in  the  gold  distrist, 
of  whom  more  than  one-half  were  Indians  ;  and  that 
from  $30,000  to  §50,000  worth  of  gold,  if  not  more, 
was  daily  ohtained.  The  entire  gold  district,  with 
very  few  exceptions  of  grants  made  s^me  years  ago 
by  the  Mexican  authorities,  is  on  land  belonging  to 
the  United  States.  It  was  a  matter  of  serious  reflec- 
tion with  me,  how  I  could  secure  to  the  government 
certain  rents  or  fees  for  the  privilege  of  procuring 
this  gold ;  but  upon  considering  the  large  extent  of 
country,  the  character  of  the  people  engaged,  and  the 
small  scattered  force  at  my  command,  I  resolved  not 
to  interfere,  but  to  permit  all  to  work  freely,  unless 
broils  and  crimes  should  call  for  interference.  I  was 
surprised  to  hear  that  crime  of  any  kind  was  very  un- 
frequent,  and  that  no  thefts  or  robberies  had  been 
committed  in  the  gold  district. 

"  All  live  in  tents,  in  bush  arbors,  or  in  the  open  air ; 
and  men  have  frequently  about  their  persons  thousands 
of  dollars  worth  of  this  gold,  and  it  was  to  me  a  mat- 
ter of  surprise  that  so  peaceful  and  quiet  state  of 
things  should  continue  to  exist.  Conflicting  claims  to 
particular  spots  of  ground  may  cause  collisions,  but 
they  wD!  be  rare?  as  the  extent  of  country  is  so  great, 
and  tlie  gold  so  abundant,  that  for  the  rresent  there 
is  room  enough  for  all.  Still  the  government  is  entitled 
to  rents  for  this  land,  and  immediate  steps  should  be 
ievised  to  collect  them,  for  the  longer  it  is  delayed 
(he  more  difficult  it  will  become.  One  plan  I  would 
suggest  is,  to  send  out  from  the  United  States  survey- 
ors with  high  salaries,  bound  to  serve  specified  periods. 

"  The  discovery  of  these  vast  deposits  of  gold  has 
entirely  changed  the  character  of  Upper  California. 
Its  people,  before  engaged  in  cultivating  their  small 


HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA.  49 

patches  of  ground,  and  guarding  their  herds  of  cattle 
and  horses,  have  all  gone  to  the  mines,  or  are  on  then 
•way  thither.  Laborers  of  every  trade  have  left  their 
work  benches,  and  tradesmen  their  shops.  Sailors 
desert  their  ships  as  fast  as  they  arrive  on  the  coast, 
and  several  vessels  have  gone  to  sea  with  hardly 
enough  hands  to  spread  a  sail.  Two  or  three  are  now 
at  anchor  in  San  Francisco  with  no  crew  on  board. 
Many  desertions,  too,  have  taken  place  from  the  gar- 
risons within  the  influence  of  these  mines ;  twenty-six 
soldiers  have  deserted  from  the  post  of  Sonoma, 
twenty-four  from  that  of  San  Francisco,  and  twenty- 
four  from  Monterey.  For  a  few  days  the  evil  appeared 
so  threatening,  that  great  danger  existed  that  the  gar 
risons  would  leave  in  a  body ;  and  I  refer  you  to  my 
orders  of  the  25th  of  July,  to  show  the  steps  adopted 
to  meet  this  contingency.  I  shall  spare  no  exertions 
to  apprehend  and  punish  deserters,  but  I  believe  no 
time  in  the  history  of  our  country  has  presented  such 
temptations  to  desert  as  now  exist  in  California. 

"The  danger  of  apprehension  is  small,  and  the 
prospect  of  high  wages  certain ;  pay  and  bounties  are 
trifles,  as  laboring  men  at  the  mines  can  now  earn  in 
one  day  more  than  double  a  soldier's  pay  and  allow- 
ances for  a  month,  and  even  the  pay  of  a  lieutenant 
or  captain  cannot  hire  a  servant.  A  carpenter  or 
mechanic  would  not  listen  to  an  offer  of  less  than 
fifteen  or  twenty  dollars  a  day.  Could  any  combina- 
tion of  affairs  try  a  man's  fidelity  more  than  this  ?  I 
really  think  some  extraordinary  mark  of  favor  should 
be  given  to  those  soldiers  who  remain  faithful  to  theii 
flag  throughout  this  tempting  crisis. 

"Many  private  letters  have  gone  to  the  United 
States,  giving  accounts  of  the  vast  quantity  of  gold 


50  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

recently  discovered,  and  it  maybe  a  matter  of  surprise 
why  I  have  made  no  report  on  this  subject  at  an  earlier 
date.  The  reason  is,  that  I  could  not  bring  myself 
to  believe  the  reports  that  I  heard  of  the  wealth  of 
the  gold  district  until  I  visited  it  myself.  I  have  no 
hesitation  now  in  saying  that  there  is  more  gold  in  the 
country  drained  by  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin 
Rivers  than  will  pay  the  cost  of  the  present  war  with 
Mexico  a  hundred  times  over.  No  capital  is  required 
to  obtain  this  gold,  as  the  laboring  man  wants  nothing 
but  his  pick  and  shovel  and  tin  pan,  with  which  to  dig 
and  wash  the  gravel ;  and  many  frequently  pick  gold 
out  of  the  crevices  of  the  rocks  with  their  butcher 
knives,  in  pieces  of  from  one  to  six  ounces. 

"  Mr.  Dye,  a  gentleman  residing  in  Monterey,  and 
worthy  of  every  credit,  has  just  returned  from  Feather 
River.  He  tells  me  that  the  company  to  which  he 
belonged  worked  seven  weeks  and  two  days,  with  an 
average  of  fifty  Indians  (washers,)  and  that  their  grosa 
product  was  two  hundred  and  seventy-three  pounds 
of  gold.  His  share  (one  seventh,)  after  paying  all 
expenses,  is  about  thirty -seven  pounds,  which  he 
brought  with  him  and  exhibited  in  Monterey.  I  see 
no  laboring  man  from  the  mines  who  does  not  show 
his  two,  three,  or  four  pounds  of  gold.  A  soldier  of 
the  artillery  company  returned  here  a  few  days  ago 
from  the  mines,  having  been  absent  en  furlough  twenty 
days.  He  made  by  trading  and  working,  during  that 
time,  $1500,  During  these  twenty  days  he  waa 
travelling  ten  or  eleven  days,  leaving  but  a  week  in 
which  he  made  a  sum  cf  money  greater  than  he  re- 
seives  in  pay,  clothes,  and  rations,  during  a  whole 
enlistment  of  five  years.  These  statements  appear 
incredible,  but  they  are  true. 


HISTORY    3P  CALIFORNIA.  51 

"  Gold  is  also  believe  1  to  exist  on  the  eastern  slope 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada  ;  and  when  at  the  mines,  I  was 
informed  by  an  intelligent  Mormon  that  it  had  been 
found  near  the  Great  Salt  Lake  by  some  of  his  frater- 
nity. Nearly  all  the  Mormons  are  leaving  California 
to  go  to  the  Salt  Lake,  "and  this  they  surely  would  not 
do  unless  they  were  sure  of  finding  gold  there  in  the 
same  abundance  as  they  now  do  on  the  Sacramento. 

"  The  gold  *  placer'  near  the  mission  of  San  Fer- 
nando has  long  been  known,  but  has  been  little  wrought 
for  want  of  water.  This  is  a  spur  which  puts  off  from 
the  Sierra  Nevada  (see  Fremont's  map,)  the  same  in 
which  the  present  mines  occur.  There  is,  therefore, 
every  reason  to  believe,  that  in  the  intervening  spaces, 
of  five  hundred  miles  (entirely  unexplored)  there  must 
be  many  hidden  and  rich  deposits.  The  '  placer'  gold 
is  now  substituted  as  the  currency  of  this  country ;  in 
trade  it  passes  freely  at  $16  per  ounce ;  as  an  article 
of  commerce  its  value  is  not  yet  fixed.  The  only 
purchase  I  made  was  of  the  specimen  No.  7,  which  I 
got  of  Mr.  Neligh  at  $12  the  ounce.  That  is  about 
the  present  cash  value  in  the  country,  although  it  has 
been  sold  for  less.  The  great  demand  for  goods  and 
provisions,  made  by  this  sudden  development  of  wealth, 
has  increased  the  amount  of  commerce  at  San  Fran- 
cisco very  much,  and  it  will  continue  to  increase." 

The  Calif ornian,  published  at  San  Francisco  on  the 
14th  of  August,  furnishes  the  following  interesting 
account  of  the  Gold  Region : 

"  It  was  our  intention  to  present  our  readers  with  a 
description  of  the  extena  ve  gold,  silver,  and  iron  mines, 
recently  discovered  in  the  Sierra  Nevada,  together 
with  some  other  important  items,  for  the  good  of  the 
people,  but  we  are  compelled  to  defer  it  for  a  future 


52  HISTOBY   OF   CALIFOKNIA. 

number.  Our  prices  current,  many  valuable  comma* 
nications,  our  marine  journal,  and  other  important 
matters,  have  also  been  crowded  out.  But  to  enable 
our  distant  readers  to  draw  some  idea  of  the  extent 
of  the  gold  mine,  we  will  confine  our  remarks  to  a  feir 
facts.  The  country  from  the  Ajuba  to  the  San  Joaquin 
rivers,  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles,  and  from  the  tase  toward  the  summit  of  the 
mountains,  as  far  as  Snow  Hill,  about  seventy  miles, 
has  been  explored,  and  gold  found  on  every  part. 
There  are  now  probably  3000  people,  including  Indians, 
engaged  collecting  gold.  The  amount  collected  by 
each  man  who  works,  ranges  from  $10  to  $350  per 
day.  The  publisher  of  this  paper,  while  on  a  tour 
alone  to  the  mining  district,  collected,  with  the  aid 
<)f  a  shovel,  pick  and  tin  pan,  about  twenty  inches  in 
iiameter,  from  §44  to  §128  a  day— averaging  §100. 
Fhe  gross  amount  collected  will  probably  exceed 
$600,000,  of  which  amount  our  merchants  have  re- 
ceived about  §250,000  worth  for  goods  sold  ;  all  within 
the  short  space  of  eight  weeks.  The  largest  piece  of 
gold  known  to  be  found  weighed  four  pounds. 

"  Labor  has  ever  been  high  in  California,  but  pre- 
vious to  the  discovery  of  the  placera  gold,  the  rates 
ranged  from  §1  to  §3  per  day.  Since  that  epoch 
common  labor  cannot  be  obtained,  and  if  to  be  had, 
for  no  less  price  than  fifty  cents  per  hour,  and  that  the 
most  common.  Carpenters  and  other  mechanics  have 
been  offered  §15  a  day,  but  it  has  been  flatly  refused. 
Many  of  our  enterprising  citizens  were  largely  engaged 
in  building,  and  others  wish  to  commence  on  dwellings, 
warehouses,  and  the  like,  but  all  have  had  to  suspend 
for  the  lack  of  that  all  important  class  of  community, 
the  working  men." 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  58 

The  following  extracts  from  the  published  journal 
of  a  physician  in  California,  give  accounts  of  the  recep- 
tion of  the  news  of  the  gold  discovery  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, with  its  consequent  effects. 

"  May  8th. — Captain  Fulsom  called  at  Sweeting's 
to-day.  He  had  seen  a  man  this  morning,  who  reported 
that  he  had  just  come  from  a  river  called  the  American 
Fork,  about  one  hundred  miles  in  the  interior,  where 
he  had  been  gold  washing.  Captain  Fulsom  saw  the 
gold  he  had  with  him ;  it  was  about  twenty-three 
ounces  weight,  and  in  small  flakes.  The  man  stated 
that  he  was  eight  days  getting  it,  but  Captain  Fulsom 
hardly  believed  this.  He  says  that  he  saw  some  of 
this  gold  a  few  weeks  since,  and  thought  it  was  only 
'mica,'  but  good  judges  have  pronounced  it  to  be 
genuine  metal.  He  talks,  however,  of  paying  a  visit 
to  the  place  where  it  is  reported  to  come  from.  After 
he  was  gone,  Bradley  stated  that  the  Sacramento 
settlements,  which  Malcolm  wished  to  visit,  were  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  American  Fork,  and  that  we 
might  go  there  together  ;  he  thought  the  distance  was 
only  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles. 

"  May  10th. — Yesterday  and  to-day  nothing  has 
been  talked  of  but  the  new  gold  '  placer,'  as  people 
call  it.  It  seems  that  four  other  men  had  accompanied 
the  person  Captain  Fulsom  saw  yesterday,  and  that 
they  had  each  realized  a  large  quantity  of  gold.  They 
left  the  '  diggings'  on  the  American  Fork,  (which  it 
seems  is  the  Rio  de  los  Americanos,  a  tributary  to  the 
Sacramento)  about  a  week  ago,  and  stopped  a  day  or 
two  at  Sutter's  Fort,  a  few  miles  this  side  of  the  dig- 
gings, on  their  way  ;  from  there  they  had  travelled 
by  boat  to  San  Francisco.  The  gold  they  brought 
has  been  examined  by  the  first  Alcalde  here  and  by 
C* 


64  HISTOKY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

all  the  merchants  in  the  place.  Bradley  showed  us  a 
lump  weighing  a  quarter  of  an  ounce,  which  he  had 
bought  of  one  of  the  men,  and  for  which  he  gave  him 
three  dollars  and  a  half.  I  have  no  doubt  in  my  own 
mind  about  its  being  genuine  gold.  Several  parties, 
\?e  hear,  are  already  made  up  to  visit  the  diggings ; 
and,  according  to  the  newspaper  here,  a  number  of 
people  have  actually  started  off  with  shovels,  mattocks, 
fsnd  pans,  to  dig  the  gold  themselves.  It  is  not  likely, 
however,  that  this  will  be  allowed,  for  Captain  Fulsom 
has  already  written  to  Colonel  Mason  about  taking 
possession  of  the  nine  on  behalf  of  the  government, 
U  being,  as  he  says,  on  public  land. 

"  May  17th. — This  place  is  now  in  a  perfect  furor  of 
ficitement ;  all  the  work-people  have  struck.  Walking 
UiJOugh  the  town  to-day,  I  observed  that  laborers 
\5Jtrw  employed  only  upon  about  half-a-dozen  of  the 
CJty  new  buildings  which  were  in  the  course  of  being 
ttl.  up.  The  majority  of  the  mechanics  at  this  place 
tSO  making  preparations  for  moving  off  to  the  mines, 
fcnd  several  hundred  people  of  all  classes — lawyers, 
Ftore-keepers,  merchants,  &c., — are  bitten  with  the 
fover ;  in  fact,  there  is  a  regular  gold  mania  springing 
ap.  I  counted  no  less  than  eighteen  houses  which  were 
closed,  the  owners  having  left." 

The  mania  continued  +o  increase,  and  within  a  few 
months  all  the  princip*1  towns  were  nearly  emptied 
of  their  population,  (iold  was  the  universal  object, 
and  splendid  and  rapid  fortune  the  universal  hope. 
No  occupation  seemed  to  offer  such  a  prospect  as  that 
of  digging  gold,  and,  accordingly,  those  who  were  not 
able  to  bear  the  fatigues  of  such  work,  or  were  at  the 
head  of  any  sort  of  business  in  the  different  towns,  had 
to  pay  enormous  prices  for  the  labor  of  subordinate* 


HISTORY  OP   CALIFORNIA.  65 

who  performed  the  meanest  services.  The  prices  of 
all  agricultural  and  manufactured  products  became 
treble  the  previous  rates. 

Soon  came  the  first  waves  of  the  tide  of  emigration 
that  was  to  flood  the  placers  of  the  gold  region.  The 
first  influx  consisted  of  Mexicans  of  the  province  of 
Sonoma,  Chilians,  and  some  few  Chinese.  These, 
principally  took  possession  of  the  southern  mines,  or 
those  on  the  San  Joaquin  and  its  tributaries.  Some 
few  stopped  at  San  Francisco,  and  secured  lots  of 
ground  which  they  knew  would  become  very  valuable 
in  a  short  time,  and  erected  temporary  stores  and 
dwellings.  This  gave  the  impulse  to  the  progress  of 
the  town,  and  it  soon  advanced  rapidly  in  size  and 
population.  Then  came  the  emigration  from  the 
Atlantic  States  of  the  Union,  and  the  whole  territory 
felt  the  progressive  and  enterprising  spirit  of  the  gold- 
seekers.  The  Americans  generally  took  possession 
of  the  mines  upon  the  northern  tributaries  of  the 
Sacramento  River ;  but  as  their  numbers  increased 
they  pushed  towards  the  southern  mines,  and  frequent 
collisions  with  the  foreigners  were  the  consequence. 
Finally,  a  great  number  of  the  latter  were  compelled 
to  leave  the  country. 


66  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

ADVENTURES  OF  SOME  OF  THE  MINERS,  AND  INCIDENTS 
CONNECTED  WITH  MINING. 

THE  adventures  of  the  eager  gold-seekers  in  the 
region  of  their  hopes,  among  the  washings  and  the 
diggings  of  the  placers,  cannot  but  be  interesting. 
The  toil  to  which  the  men  have  to  submit  if  they  would 
obtain  any  thing  like  a  satisfaction  to  their  desires,  is 
of  a  very  irksome  character.  In  the  summer  season, 
the  heat  is  intense,  and  the  principal  part  of  the  labor 
of  washing  and  digging  must  be  performed  exposed  to 
the  full  blaze  of  the  sun.  In  the  "  dry  diggings," 
the  miners  suffer  greatly  from  the  want  of  water. 
Most  of  the  provisions  having  to  be  transported  from 
the  towns  on  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin,  soon 
grow  unwholesome  from  exposure  to  the  sultry  air  of 
the  day  and-  the  damp  air  of  the  night.  This  diet, 
conjointly  with  the  exposure  of  the  miners,  tends  to 
produce  intermittent  fever  and  dysentery.  The  miners 
generally  reside  in  huts  of  a  rude  construction,  or  in 
canvas  tents,  which  afford  but  poor  protection  from 
the  changes  of  the  weather. 

The  most  prominent  man  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  "  diggins,"  is  Captain  Sutter,  the  Daniel  Boone 
of  that  part  of  the  country.  He  was  formerly  an 
officer  in  the  Swiss  guards  of  Charles  X.  of  France. 
After  the  revolution  of  1830,  in  that  country,  he  came 
to  the  United  States.  Emigrating  to  California,  he 
•btained  a  grant  of  land  from  the  Mexican  govern- 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  67 

ment,  and  tounded  the  settlement  known  as  Sutler's 
Fort.  Upon  his  land,  the  first  discovery  of  the  rich 
ness  of  the  soil  was  made,  and  his  house  and  the 
settlement  around  it  has  been,  ever  since,  the  resort 
of  persons  going  to  and  from  the  placers,  and  a  depot 
for  provisions  and  articles  used  by  the  miners.  Stores 
and  workshops  have  been  established,  and  a  consider- 
able amount  of  business  is  transacted  there.  Captain 
Sutter  is  held  in  very  great  respect  by  the  people  of 
the  settlement  and  those  stopping  at  his  house  on  the 
road  to  the  placers.  Several  versions  of  the  account 
of  the  discovery  of  the  gold  mines  have  been  circu- 
lated, but  the  true  one,  in  the  Captain's  own  words, 
is  given  in  a  work  recently  published.*  The  account 
is  here  inserted,  both  on  account  of  the  interest  con- 
nected with  the  discovery,  and  in  order  to  correct 
wrong  versions  of  the  matter. 

"I  was  sitting  one  afternoon,"  said  the  Captain, 
"just  after  my  siesta,  engaged,  by-the-bye,  in  writing 
a  letter  to  a  relation  of  mine  at  Lucerne,  when  I  was 
interrupted  by  Mr.  Marshall — a  gentleman  with  whom 
I  had  frequent  business  transactions — bursting  hur- 
riedly into  the  room.  From  the  unusual  agitation  in 
his  manner,  I  imagined  that  something  serious  had 
occurred,  and,  as  we  involuntarily  do  in  this  part  of 
the  world,  I  at  once  glanced  to  see  if  my  rifle  was  in 
its  proper  place.  You  should  know  that  the  mere 
appearance  of  Mr.  Marshall  at  that  moment  in  the 
fort  was  quite  enough  to  surprise  me,  as  he  had  but 
two  days  before  left  the  place  to  make  some  altera- 
tions in  a  mill  for  sawing  pine  planks,  which  he  had 
just  run  up  for  me,  some  miles  higher  up  the  Ameri- 

*  Four   Months  Among  the  Gold  Finders  of  California,  by  J.  Tyr 
whit  Books,  M,  D. 


58  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

canos.  When  he  had  recovered  himself  a  little,  h* 
told  me  that,  however  great  my  surprise  might  be  at 
his  unexpected  reappearance,  it  would  be  much  greater 
when  I  heard  the  intelligence  he  had  come  to  bring 
me.  'Intelligence,'  he  added,  'which,  if  properly 
profited  by,  would  put  both  of  us  in  possession  of  un- 
heard-of wealth — millions  and  millions  <»f  dollars,  in 
fact.'  I  frankly  own,  when  I  heard  this,  that  I  thought 
something  had  touched  Marshall's  brain,  when  sud- 
denly all  my  misgivings  were  put  an  end  to  by  his 
flinging  on  the  table  a  handful  of  scales  of  pure  virgin 
gold.  I  was  fairly  thunderstruck,  and  asked  him  to 
explain  what  all  this  meant,  when  he  went  on  to  say, 
that,  according  to  my  instructions,  he  had  thrown  the 
mill-wheel  out  of  gear,  to  let  the  whole  body  of  the  water 
in  the  dam  find  a  passage  through  the  tail-race,  which 
was  previously  too  narrow  to  allow  the  water  to  run 
off  in  sufficient  quantity,  whereby  the  wheel  was  pre- 
vented from  efficiently  performing  its  work.  By  this 
alteration  the  narrow  channel  was  considerably  en- 
larged, and  a  mass  of  sand  and  gravel  carried  off  by 
the  force  of  the  torrent.  Early  in  the  morning  after 
this  took  place,  he  (Mr.  Marshall)  was  walking  along 
the  left  bank  of  the  stream,  when  he  perceived  some- 
thing which  he  at  first  took  for  a  piece  of  opal — a 
clear  transparent  stone,  very  common  here — glittering 
on  one  of  the  spots  laid  bare  by  the  sudden  crumbling 
away  of  the  bank.  He  paid  no  attention  to  this ;  but 
while  he  was  giving  directions  to  the  workmen,  having 
observed  several  similar  glittering  fragments,  his 
curiosity  was  so  far  excited,  that  he  stooped  down  and 
picked  one  of  them  up.  '  Do  you  know,'  said  Mr. 
Marshall  to  me,  *  I  positively  debated  within  myself 
two  or  three  times  whether  I  should  take  the  trouble 


HISTOfcY  OP   CALIFORNIA.  58 

to  bend  cay  back  to  pick  up  one  of  the  pieces,  and  had 
decided  on  not  doing  so,  when,  further  on,  another 
glittering  morsel  caught  my  eye — the  largest  of  the 
pieces  now  before  you.  I  condescended  to  pick  it  up, 
and  to  my  astonishment  found  that  it  was  a  thin  scale 
of  what  appears  to  be  pure  gold.'  He  then  gathered 
some  twenty  or  thirty  similar  pieces,  which  on  exami- 
nation convinced  him  that  his  suppositions  were  right. 
His  first  impression  was,  that  this  gold  had  been  lost 
or  buried  there  by  some  early  Indian  tribe — perhaps 
some  of  those  mysterious  inhabitants  of  the  West,  of 
whom  we  have  no  account,  but  who  dwelt  on  this  con- 
tinent centuries  ago,  and  built  those  cities  and  tem- 
ples, the  ruins  of  which  are  scattered  about  these 
solitary  wilds.  On  proceeding,  however,  to  examine 
the  neighboring  soil,  he  discovered  that  it  was  more  or 
less  auriferous.  This  at  once  decided  him.  He  mounted 
his  horse,  and  rode  down  to  me  as  fast  as  it  would 
carry  him,  with  the  news. 

"  At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Marshall's  account," 
continued  Captain  Sutter,  "  and  when  I  had  convinced 
myself,  from  the  specimens  he  had  brought  with  him, 
that  it  was  not  exaggerated,  I  felt  as  much  excited  as 
himself.  1  eagerly  inquired  if  he  had  shown  the  gold 
to  the  work  people  at  the  mill,  and  was  glad  to  hear 
that  he  had  not  spoken  to  a  single  person  about  it. 
We  agreed,,"  said  the  Captain,  smiling,  "  not  to  men- 
tion the  circumstance  to  any  one,  and  arranged  to  set 
off  early  the  next  day  for  the  mill.  On  our  arrival, 
just  before  sundown,  we  poked  the  sand  about  in 
various  places,  and  before  long  succeeded  in  collecting 
between  us,  more  than  an  ounce  of  gold,  mixed  up 
with  a  good  deal  of  sand.  I  stayed  at  Mr.  Marshall's 
that  night,  and  the  2ext  day  we  proceeded  some  little 


90  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

distance  up  the  South  Fork,  and  found  that  gold 
existed  along  the  whole  course,  not  only  in  the  bed  of 
the  main  stream,  where  the  water  had  subsided,  but 
in  every  little  dried-up  creek  and  ravine.  Indeed,  I 
think  it  is  more  plentiful  in  these  latter  places,  for  I 
myself,  with  nothing  more  than  a  small  knife,  picked 
out  from  a  dry  gorge,  a  little  way  up  the  mountain,  a 
solid  lump  of  gold  which  weighed  nearly  an  ounce  and 
ft  half. 

"  On  our  return  to  the  mill,  we  were  astonished  by 
the  work-people  cdming  up  to  us  in  a  body,  and  show- 
ing us  small  flakes  of  gold  similar  to  those  we  had 
ourselves  procured.  Marshall  tried  to  laugh  the  mat- 
ter off  with  them,  and  to  persuade  them  that  what  they 
nad  found  was  only  some  shining  mineral  of  trifling 
value  ;  but  one  of  the  Indians,  who  had  worked  at  the 
gold  mine  in  the  neighborhood  of  La  Paz,  in  Lower 
California,  cried  out,  '  Oro  !  oro  !'  We  were  disap- 
pointed enough  at  this  discovery,  and  supposed  that 
the  work-people  had  been  watching  our  movements, 
although  we  thought  we  had  taken  every  precaution 
against  being  observed  by  them.  I  heard,  afterwards, 
that  one  of  them,  a  sly  Kentuckian,  had  dogged  us 
about,  and  that,  looking  on  the  ground  to  see  if  he 
could  discover  what  we  were  in  search  of,  he  had 
lighted  on  some  flakes  of  gold  himself. 

"  The  next  day  I  rode  back  to  the  Fort,  ^organized 
a  laboring  party,  set  the  carpenters  to  work  on  a  few 
necessary  matters,  and  the  next  day,  accompanied 
them  to  a  point  of  the  Fork,  where  they  encamped 
for  the  night.  By  the  following  morning  I  had  a 
party  of  fifty  Indians  fairly  at  work.  The  way  we 
first  managed  was  to  shovel  the  soil  into  small  buckets, 
or  into  some  of  our  famous  Indian  baskets ;  then  w&si 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  61 

all  the  light  earth  out,  and  pick  away  the  stones ; 
after  this,  we  dried  the  sand  on  pieces  of  canvas,  and 
tfith  long  reeds  blew  away  all  but  the  gold.  I  have 
now  some  rude  machines  in  use,  and  upwards  of  one 
hundred  men  employed,  chiefly  Indians,  *ho  are  well 
fed,  and  who  are  allowed  whisky  three  times  a  day. 

"  The  report  soon  spread.  Some  of  the  gold  was 
sent  to  San  Francisco,  and  crowds  of  people  flocked 
to  the  diggings.  Added  to  this,  a  large  emigrant 
party  of  Mormons  entered  California  across  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  just  as  the  affair  was  first  made  known. 
They  halted  at  once,  and  set  to  work  on  a  spot  some 
thirty  miles  from  here,  where  a  few  of  them  still  re- 
main When  I  was  last  up  to  the  diggings,  there  were 
full  eight  hundred  men  at  work,  at  one  place  and 
another,  with  perhaps  something  like  three  hundred 
more  passing  backwards  and  forwards  between  here 
and  the  mines.  I  at  first  imagined  that  the  gold 
would  soon  be  exhausted  by  such  crowds  of  seekers, 
but  subsequent  observations  have  convinced  me  that  it 
will  take  many  years  to  bring  about  such  a  result, 
even  with  ten  times  the  present  number  of  people 
employed. 

"What  surprises  me,"  continued  the  Captain,  "is, 
that  this  country  should  have  been  visited  by  so  many 
scientific  men,  and  that  not  one  of  them  should  have 
ever  stumbled  upon  the  treasures ;  that  scores  of 
keen  eyed  trappers  should  have  crossed  this  valley  in 
everj  direction,  and  tribes  of  Indians  have  dwelt  in  it 
for  centuries,  and  yet  that  this  gold  should  have  never 
been  discovered.  I  myself  have  passed  the  very  spot 
above  a  hundred  times  during  the  last  ten  years,  but 
was  just  as  blind  as  the  rest  of  them,  so  I  must  not 
vender  at  the  discovery  not  having  been  made  earlier," 


62  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORITCA. 

The  plan  of  operations  adopted  by  most  of  the 
miners  who  were  not  Indians  or  Californians,  was  to 
form  bands  of  three,  five  or  ten,  under  the  command 
of  one  of  the  number,  whose  name  the  party  took,  and 
by  which  it  was  afterwards  known.  Some  larger 
companies  were  formed  in  the  United  States,  and 
repaired  to  California,  and  their  operations  were  of 
course,  on  a  more  extensive  scale ;  they  having  all 
the  necessary  equipments  of  gold-washers  and  miners 
Written  rules  were  generally  drawn  up  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  parties,  varying  in  particulars  according 
to  the  peculiar  views  of  the  framers.  These  rules 
provided  for  the  modus  operandi  of  procuring  the 
gold,  supplying  the  party  with  necessaries,  attending 
to  the  sick,  and  the  division  of  the  fruits  of  their  labor. 

One  of  the  most  frequented  placers  of  California  ia 
called  the  Stanislaus  mine,  situated  near  the  Stanis- 
laus River.  It  was  one  of  the  first  places  worked  to 
any  extent  by  the  gold-seekers,  but  not  satisfying  the 
expectations  of  some  of  the  most  greedy,  it  has  since 
been  partially  abandoned.  A  description  of  this  mine, 
and  of  the  living  and  operations  of  its  workers  in  the 
winter  of  1848-49,  will  give  a  good  general  idea  of  the 
toils  and  privations  endured  by  the  early  gold-seekers  in 
that  region,  and,  also,  of  their  mode  of  procuring  the 
precious  metal  at  most  of  the  mines.  We  extract 
from  a  recently  published  work,  distinguished  for 
minuteness  of  detail  and  accuracy  of  description.* 

"  The  mine  was  a  deep  ravine,  embosomed  amidst 
lofty  hills,  surmounted  by,  and  covered  with  pine,  and 
having,  in  the  bottom  itself,  abundance  of  rock,  mud. 
and  sand.  Halliday  and  I  encamped  at  the  very 

•  Personal  Adventures  in  Upper  and  Lower  Cali  forma,  by  William 
Redmond  Ryan. 


BISTORT   OF   CALIFORNIA.  63 

lowest  part  of  the  ravine,  at  a  little  distance  from  D'.i 
Emanuel's  party  ;  a  steep  rock  which  towered  above 
our  heads  affording  us  shelter,  and  a  huge,  flat  stone 
beneath  our  feet  promising  a  fair  substitute  for  a  dry 
bed.  Here  then  we  stretched  our  machetrs  and 
blankets,  and  arranged  our  saddles  and  bags,  so  as  to 
make  ourselves  as  comfortable  and  warm  as  possible, 
although,  in  spite  of  our  precautions  and  contrivances, 
and  of  a  tolerably  good  fire,  our  encampment  was 
bitterly  cold,  and  we  lay  exposed  to  a  heavy  dew. 
We  had  given  up  our  horses  into  the  charge  of  the 
Indians,  and  I  saw  to  their  being  safely  placed  in  the 
cavallard,  whilst  Halliday  went  to  chop  wood;  a  task 
I  was  too  weak  to  perform.  I  cannot  say  we  slept; 
we  might  more  correctly  be  said  to  have  had  a  long 
and  most  uncomfortable  doze,  and  when  morning 
broke,  we  were  shivering  with  cold,  and  shook  the 
dew  in  a  shower  from  our  clothes.  I  consulted  with 
my  companion,  and  urged  upon  him  the  prudence  of 
our  setting  to  work  to  construct  ourselves  a  sort  of  log 
cabin ;  otherwise  I  felt  certain,  from  the  experience 
of  the  past  night,  our  sojourn  at  the  mines  would  be 
likely  to  prove  fatal  to  one  or  both  of  us.  He  was, 
however,  far  too  eager  to  try  his  fortune  at  digging 
to  listen  to  my  proposal,  at  which  he  even  smiled, 
probably  at  the  bare  idea  of  weather,  privation,  or 
toil,  being  able  to  affect  his  powerful  frame.  I  saw 
him  presently  depart  up  the  ravine,  shouldering  a  pick, 
and  glancing  now  and  then  at  his  knife,  whilst  I  pro- 
ceeded in  search  of  materials  for  constructing  a  tem- 
porary place  of  shelter. 

"  As  my  strength  was  unequal  to  the  task  of  felling 
timber,  I  endeavored  to  procure  four  poles,  intending 
to  sink  them  into  the  ground,  and  to  stretch  on  the 


64  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

top  of  them  a  bed-tick  I  had  reserved  for  the  purpose. 
The  contrivance  was  a  sorry  one  at  the  best,  but 
shelter  was  indispensable ;  and  great  was  my  disap- 
pointment— though  I  procured  the  timber  after  a  pain- 
ful seareh — to  find  that  the  rooks  presented  an  insu- 
perable obstacle  to  my  employing  it  as  I  intended. 
My  efforts  to  sink  the  poles  proved  utterly  futile,  and 
I  Tfcas  at  last  compelled  to  renounce  the  attempt  in 
despair.  I  then  packed  up  our  goods  into  as  close  a 
compass  ae  possible ;  and,  having  requested  one  of 
the  Spaniards  in  Don  Emanuel's  party  to  keep  watch 
over  them,  departed  to  explore  the  ravine. 

"  Within  a  few  paces  of  oar  encampment  there  was 
a  large  area  of  ground,  probably  half  a  mile  square, 
the  surface  of  which  consisted  of  dark  soil  and  slate, 
and  was  indented  with  innumerable  holes  of  every 
possible  dimension,  from  six  inches  to  as  many  feet  or 
more,  wide  and  deep.  In  all  of  these  lay  abundance 
of  water,  of  which  large  quantities  are  to  be  found  a 
little  beneath  the  surface,  the  ravine  being  supplied 
with  it  in  great  abundance  by  the  rains  that  pour 
down  from  the  hills  during  the  wet  season.  To  the 
extreme  right  of  our  camp,  the  ground  assumed  a 
more  rocky  character  ;  and,  from  the  vast  deposit  of 
stagnant  water,  did  not  seem  to  offer  many  attractions 
to  the  miners.  Yet  there  was  scarcely  a  spot  in  any 
of  these  places  where  the  crow-bar,  the  pick,  or  the 
jack-knife,  had  not  been  busy :  evidence  that  the 
whole  locality  must  have  been  extremely  rich  in  the 
precious  metal,  or  it  would  not  have  been  so  thoroughly 
worked. 

"  In  crossing  the  ravine,  I  was  obliged  to  leap  from 
one  mound  of  earth  to  another,  to  avoid  plunging 
ancle-deep  in  mud  and  water.  It  was  wholly  deserted 


HISTORY   OF    CALIFOBNIA.  60 

in  this  part,  though  formerly  so  much  frequented ;  and, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  traders,  who,  having  takeL 
up  their  station  here  when  times  were  good,  had  not 
yet  made  arrangements  for  removing  to  a  more  pro- 
ductive place,  not  a  soul  was  to  he  seen. 

"  I  walked  on  until  I  reached  the  trading-post  of 
Mr.  Anderson,  formerly  our  interpreter  in  the  Lower 
Country,  whom  I  felt  delighted  to  meet  with  again 
His  shed  was  situated  in  one  of  the  Dampest  parts  of 
the  mine,  and  consisted  of  a  few  upright  poles,  tra- 
versed by  cross-pieces,  and  covered  in  with  raw  hides 
and  leaves,  but  yet  much  exposed  at  the  sides  to  the 
wind  and  the  weather.  He  had  a  few  barrels  of  flour 
and  biscuit,  which  he  retailed  at  two  dollars  a  pound ; 
for  he  made  no  difference  between  the  price  of  the 
raw  and  the  prepared  material.  The  flour  would  gc 
further,  it  was  true  ;  but  then  the  biscuit  required  nc 
cooking  on  the  part  of  the  miner,  whose  tkne  was 
literally  money,  and  whose  interest  therefore  U  was  to 
economize  it  in  every  possible  manner.  He  also  sold 
unprepared  coffee  and  sugar  at  six  Yankee  shillings  a 
pound ;  dried  beef  at  one  dollar  and  a  half ;  and 
pork,  which  was  regarded  as  a  great  delicacy  here,  at 
two  dollars  for  the  same  weight.  The  various  articles 
of  which  his  stock-in-trade  consisted  he  had  brought 
all  the  way  from  Monterey  at  considerable  labor  and 
expense ;  but,  by  the  exercise  of  extraordinary  tast, 
perseverance,  and  industry,  he  had  succeeded  in  esta- 
blishing a  flourishing  business. 

"  I  discovered,  however,  that  he  possessed  aaother 
resource- — by  which  his  gains  were  marvellously  in- 
creased— in  the  services  of  seven  or  eight  Indians^ 
whom  he  kept  constantly  at  work,  in  the  rear  of  his 
shed,  digging  gold,  and  whose  labor  he  remunerated 


66  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

with  provisions,  and  occasional  presents  of  articles  01 
trifling  value  to  him,  but  highly  esteemed  by  the 
Indians.  They  were  watched  by  an  American  over- 
seer, who  was  employed  by  him,  to  assist  in  the  general 
business,  particularly  in  slaughtering ;  for,  as  beef 
was  scarce,  ho  used  to  send  his  man  in  quest  of  COWL 
and  oxen;  which  he  killed,  cut  up,  salted  and  dried, 
in  his  shed,  and  watching  the  most  favorable  moment 
fjr  the  operation — namely,  when  meat  could  not  be 
procured  at  the  '  diggins' — never  failed  to  realize  his 
own  price  for  it. 

"Proceeding  higher  up  the  ravine,  I  observed  a 
large  tent  erected  on  the  slope  of  a  hill,  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  bottom,  where  the  gold  is  usually  found. 
It  was  surrounded  by  a  trench,  the  clay  from  which, 
as  it  was  dug  up,  had  apparently  been  thrown  out 
against  the  canvas,  forming  a  kind  of  embankment, 
rendering  it  at  once  water  and  weather-proof.  I  ven- 
tured into  it,  encountering  on  my  way  an  immense 
piece  of  raw  beef,  suspended  from  the  ridge-pole. 
Upon  some  stones  in  front,  inclosing  a  small  fire,  stood 
a  frying-pan,  filled  with  rich  looking  beef  collops, 
that  set  my  mouth  watering,  and  severely  tested  my 
honesty;  for,  although  acorns  are  all  very  well  in 
their  way,  and  serve  to  stay  the  cravings  of  the 
stomach  for  awhile,  I  did  not  find  my  appetite  any  the 
less  sharp,  notwithstanding  the  quantity  I  had  eaten. 
But  I  resisted  the  temptation,  and  penetrated  further 
into  the  tent.  At  one  side  of  it  lay  a  crow-bar,  and 
an  old  saddle  that  had  seen  rough  service ;  yet  not  a 
soul  appeared,  and  my  eyes  were  again  ogling  the 
collops,  whilst  an  inward  voice  whispered  how  impru- 
dent it  wa«  to  leave  them  frizzling  there,  when,  all  at 
^nce,  a  little  man,  in  a  *  hickory  shirt,'  with  his  face 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  67 

all  bedaubed  with  pot-black  and  grease,  darted  out  of 
some  dark  corner,  flourishing  in  one  hand  a  long  bowie 
knife,  and  in  the  other  three  by  no  means  delicate 
slices  of  fat  pork,  which  he  at  once  dropped  into  the 
frying-pan,  stooping  down  on  one  knee,  and  becoming 
Immediately  absorbed  in  watching  the  interesting 
culinary  process  then  going  on  in  it. 

"  I  came  up  next  with  a  group  of  three  Sonoineans, 
or  inhabitants  of  Sonoma,  busily  engaged  on  a  small 
sandy  flat — the  only  one  I  had  observed — at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  ravine.  There  was  no  water  near,  although 
I  noticed  several  holes  which  had  evidently  been  sunk 
m  quest  of  it.  These  men  were  actively  pursuing  & 
process  that  is  termed  *  dry- washing.'  One  was 
shovelling  up  the  sand  into  a  large  cloth,  stretched 
out  upon  the  ground,  and  which,  when  it  was  tolerably 
well  covered,  he  took  up  by  the  corners,  and  shook 
until  the  pebbles  and  larger  particles  of  stone  and  dirt 
came  to  the  surface.  These  he  brushed  away  care- 
fully with  his  hand,  repeating  the  process  of  shaking 
and  clearing  until  the  residue  was  sufficiently  fine  for 
the  next  operation.  This  was  performed  by  the  other 
men,  who,  depositing  the  sand  in  large  bowls  hewn 
out  of  a  solid  block  of  wood,  which  they  held  in  their 
hands,  dexterously  cast  the  contents  up  before  them, 
about  four  feet  into  the  air,  catching  the  sand  again 
very  cleverly,  and  blowing  at  it  as  it  descended.  This 
process  being  repeated,  the  sand  gradually  disap- 
peared, and  from  two  to  three  ounces  of  pure  gold 
remained  at  the  bottom  of  the  bowl.  Easy  as  the 
operation  appeared  to  me  to  be,  I  learned,  upon  in- 
quiry, that  to  perform  it  successfully  required  the 
nicest  management,  the  greatest  perseverance,  and 
especially  robust  lungs.  The  men  I  saw  had  lighted 


68  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

upon  a  productive  sand ;  but  very  often,  indeed,  those 
who  adopt  this  mode  of  gold  washing  toil  long  at  bar- 
ren soil  before  they  discover  the  uselessness  of  labor- 
ing thus  arduously. 

"  I  noticed,  that  although  the  largest  proportion  of 
the  gold  obtained  in  this  manner  presented  the  appear- 
ance of  a  fine  powder,  it  was  interspersed,  here  and 
there,  with  large  scales  of  the  precious  deposit,  and 
with  a  few  solid  lumps.  The  metal  was  of  a  dingy 
hue,  and,  at  a  cursory  view,  might  easily  have  been 
mistaken  for  particles  of  yellow  clay,  or  laminae  of 
stone  of  the  same  color.  The  Sonomeans  placed  the 
product  of  their  labor  in  buckskin  bags,  which  were 
hung  around  their  necks,  and  carefully  concealed 
inside  of  their  shirts.  They  work  in  this  fashion  at 
the  mines  in  their  own  country ;  but  I  doubt  if  any 
other  than  a  native  constitution  could  very  long  bear 
up  against  the  peculiar  labor  of  '  dry-washing'  in  such 
a  climate  and  under  such  difficult  circumstances.  1 
felt  half  tempted  to  try  the  process  myself,  for  the 
surface  of  this  sandy  bed  was  literally  sparkling  with 
innumerable  particles  of  the  finest  gold,  triturated  to 
a  polish  by  the  running  of  the  waters — as  I  conjec- 
tured ;  but  I  soon  discovered  how  fruitless  my  efforts 
would  be.  Had  I  possessed  any  chemical  agents  at 
hand,  however,  I  might  soon  have  exhausted  the  bed 
of  its  precious  contents,  and  should,  doubtless,  have 
realized  an  immense  weight  of  the  metal  of  the  very 
purest  quality. 

"  I  may  as  well  mention  here,  that  of  the  various 
new  machines  manufactured  and  sent  out  to  Califor- 
nia for  the  purpose  of  digging  and  washing  gold,  the 
great  majority  have  been  found  quite  useless.  There 
are  two  or  three  of  them,  however,  that  have  been 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  66 

employed  with  great  success.  I  have  made  a  sketch 
of  those  most  in  use  amongst  the  diggers,  as  my 
readers  may  feel  desirous  of  acquainting  themselves 
with  the  latest  improvements  introduced  in  the  art  of 
mining,  as  practised  in  this  country.  They  consist, 
in  the  first  place,  of  the  washing-rocker,  or  'cradle,' 
which  has,  in  numerous  instances,  formed  the  model 
for  ruder  machines,  constructed  by  the  miners  them- 
selves, whilst  in  the  mountains.  The  lid,  at  the  bottom 
of  which  lie  the  holes  through  which  the  gold  and  soil 
pass,  is  fastened  by  hinges  at  the  back,  in  order  that 
it  may  be  raised  up,  the  more  readily  to  throw  off, 
from  time  to  time,  the  stones  that  accumulate.  Three 
men  are  required  to  work  this  rocker  with  success, 
and  there  are  few  processes  in  which  a  smaller  num- 
ber could  operate  without  extraordinary  labor.  One 
person  throws  the  soil  upon  the  lid,  another  pours  on 
the  water,  whilst  a  third  is  engaged  in  rocking  the 
cradle  by  the  handle  attached  to  it  for  the  purpose. 
In  this  way  these  men  keep  each  other  constantly 
employed;  and,  indeed,  this  cradle,  like  its  prototype, 
has  often  proved  the  bond  of  union  between  individuals 
who  would  otherwise  have  separated,  for  this  simple 
reason,  that  one  man  could  not  work  it  half  so  profit- 
ably alone.  The  cross  pieces,  observable  at  the  bot- 
tom, serve  to  intercept  the  gold  as  it  flows  towards 
the  smaller  end  of  the  machine,  whilst  the  dirt  is 
carried  off  by  the  admixture  with  the  water  produced 
by  the  continual  'rocking.'  As  the  earth  becomes 
thoroughly  dissolved,  the  gold  naturally  gravitates  to 
the  bottom ;  and  thus  it  is  impossible  for  any  but  the 
very  finest  particles  of  the  ore  to  escape. 

"  The  second  machine,  in  importance,  is  the  gold- 
borer.     It  is   particularly  useful  in   examining   the 


70  HISTORY  OF   CALIFORNIA. 

bottom  of  streams,  and  consists  of  a  short  conical 
cylinder  at  the  end  of  a  long  handle,  containing  inside, 
at  its  lower  extremity,  a  valve,  arranged  so  as  to 
admit  the  earth  and  gold,  and  prevent  their  escaping 
when  the  receptacle  is  full.  This  instrument  is  used 
in  the  same  manner  as  an  augur.  The  third  machine, 
the  pan,  is  also  of  late  introduction,  but  has  been 
found  rather  too  deep  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  is 
intended. 

"Notwithstanding  the  success  which  seemed  to 
attend  the  labors  of  the  Sonomeans,  I  subsequently 
discovered  that  the  entire  quanity  of  gold  thus  painfully 
obtained,  disappeared  at  the  gambling-stalls.  They 
were'  generally  clad  most  wretchedly,  many  of  them 
wearing  nothing  more  than  a  dirty  shirt,  a  pair  of 
light  pantaloons,  and  the  wide  sombrero  peculiar  to  the 
inhabitants  of  this  country  and  Mexico.  Some  few 
sported  a  serapa,  but  they  were  men  of  superior  native 
rank,  of  which  this  garment  is  a  distinctive  character- 
istic. 

"  Continuing  my  route  up  the  ravine,  I  met  a  man 
named  Corrigan,  galloping  along  with  two  fine  horses, 
one  of  which  he  was  leading.  He  stopped  as  soon  as 
he  recognized  me,  and  we  were  soon  engaged  in  a  verj 
interesting  conversation  respecting  the  doings  at  the 
'diggins.'  The  substance  of  his  information  was,  that 
ic  had  made  a  great  deal  of  money  at  the  mines  by 
digging,  but  infinitely  more  by  speculation.  He  thought 
of  buying  a  rancht,  marrying,  and  settling  down.  He 
was  then  going  to  seek  for  pasture  for  his  horses  ; 
and,  bidding  me  a  hasty  good-bye,  galloped  off,  and 
soon  disappeared. 

"  As  I  advanced,  the  ground  became  drier  and  more 
sandy,  rock  and  slate  of  various  kinds  ab>unding; 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  71 

gome  quite  soft  and  friable,  yielding  readily  tc  the 
pickaxe  or  the  crowbar ;  and,  in  other  places,  so  hard 
as  to  resist  the  utmost  strength  of  the  miners.  Several 
of  the  diggers  were  perseveringly  exploring  the  locali- 
ties where  the  rotten  sorts  of  slate  were  found  in  the 
largest  quantities,  and  I  saw  them  pick  out  a  good 
deal  of  gold  with  their  jack-knives.  Their  principal 
aim  was  to  discover  what  they  termed  'a  pocket,' 
which  is  nothing  more  than  a  crevice  between  the 
blocks  of  slate,  into  which  a  deposit  of  gold  has  been 
washed  by  the  heavy  rains  from  the  higher  districts, 
and  which,  soon  accumulating,  swell  into  rapid  tor- 
rents, which  rush  down  these  ravines  with  extraor- 
dinary swiftness  and  force,  sweeping  every  thing 
before  them. 

"  There  did  not  appear  to  be  many  mining  parties 
at  the  Stanislaus  at  this  particular  period,  for  the 
encampments  were  generally  from  two  to  five  miles 
apart,  the  space  between  them  increasing  the  higher 
you  advanced  towards  the  mountains,  to  the  foot  of 
which  the  ravine  extended — altogether,  a  distance  of 
many  miles.  The  lower  part  of  the  mine,  I  concluded 
from  this  fact,  to  be  by  far  the  richer,  simply  from 
the  circumstance  I  have  mentioned  ;  richer,  compara- 
tively, because  here  the  deposits  of  gold  are  more 
easily  found  and  extracted ;  not  richer,  in  reality,  as 
the  metal  must  exist  in  immense  quantities  in  the 
upper  regions,  from  which  it  is  washed  down  by  the 
rains  and  floods  into  the  lower  districts.  The  virgin 
deposit  would,  doubtless,  be  difficult  to  come  at ;  but, 
if  sought  after  at  all,  that  it  is  to  be  sought  in  the 
mountains  and  high  lands,  I  feel  persuaded. 

"  I  turned  back,  after  prosecuting  my  excursion 
until  the  ravine  became  almost  too  rocky  to  allow  m« 

D* 


72  HISTOEY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

to  proceed,  and  until  I  saw  that  the  'diggins'  dimin- 
ished materially  in  number.  On  clambering  the  hills 
At  the  side,  I  beheld  abundance  of  pines,  oak,  cedar, 
and  palm  ;  but  no  grass,  nor  vegetation  of  any  other 
kind,  save  prickly  shrubs,  with  here  and  there  a  patch 
of  extremely  dry  moss.  On  my  way  back,  I  passed 
several  tents  and  huts  erected  by  the  miners,  all  of 
the  very  poorest  and  most  wretched  description. 

"  I  found  Van  Anker's  party  at  dinner,  in  front  of 
their  tent.  Van  showed  me  a  leathern  bag,  contain 
ing  several  pounds'  weight  of  very  pure  gold,  and 
which  was  carelessly  tossed  about  from  one  to  the 
other  for  examination.  It  was  the  produce  of  his 
morning's  work,  he  having  fortunately  struck  upon  a 
large  pocket. 

"  On  inquiring  whether,  as  there  existed  such  strong 
temptation,  robberies  were  not  very  frequent,  I  was 
informed,  that,  although  thefts  had  occurred,  yet, 
generally  speaking,  the  miners  dwelt  in  no  distrust  of 
one  another,  and  left  thousands  of  dollars'  worth  in 
gold  dust  in  their  tents  whilst  they  were  absent  dig- 
ging. They  all  felt,  intuitively,  that  honesty  was 
literally  the  best  policy,  and  a  determination  to  punish 
robbery  seemed  to  have  been  come  to  by  all  as  a 
measure  essential  to  the  security  and  welfare  of  the 
mining  community,  independent  of  any  question  of 
principle. 

"  Gambling  and  drinking  were  carried  on,  I  found, 
to  a  most  demoralizing  extent.  Brandy  and  cham- 
pagne, whenever  they  were  brought  to  the  *  diggins,' 
realized  enormous  prices,  varying  from  sixteen  to 
twenty  dollars  a  bottle  ;  and  some  of  the  men  would, 
after  accumulating  some  hundred  dollars,  squander  the 
whole  in  purchasing  these  beverages.  Believing  the 


HISTORY  Of  OALIPORNIA.  TR 

supply  of  gold  to  be  inexhaustible,  they  persisted  in 
this  reckless  course,  arid  discovered  only  when  it  be- 
came too -late  to  redeem  their  error,  that  even  here 
gold  cannot  always  be  procured.  They  went  on  until 
the  placers  failed  to  yield,  and  were  then  reduced  to 
great  extremities. 

"  The  miners  were  by  no  means  averse  to  lending 
*  dust'  to  those  who  required  it,  notwithstanding  that 
the  lenders  often  experienced  some  difficulty  in  getting 
back  the  advance.  One  of  Van's  party,  for  instance, 
lent  another  six  ounces  of  gold,  which  not  being 
returned  at  the  stipulated  period,  nor  for  some  time 
afterwards,  he  dunned  his  debtor  ^t  every  meal,  unti' 
the  latter,  who  had  quietly  submitted  to  the  importu 
nity,  begged  him  to  'just  wait  ten  minutes,  and  tim« 
it.'  He  shouldered  his  pickaxe,  as  he  said  this,  and 
going  out  of  the  shed,  returned  within  the  time,  bring- 
ing back  more  than  sufficient  to  liquidate  the  debt. 
This  little  incident  created  much  amusement." 

The  whole  of  the  gold  region  lies  between  the  San 
Joachin  and  Sacramento  Rivers  and  the  California 
range  of  mountains.  The  principal  mines  are  the 
Towallomie,  the  Stanislaus,  the  Macalamo,  the  Merced 
Fremont's  Diggings,  or  Mariposa,  the  Calaveras,  th» 
Macassime,  the  South,  Middle,  and  North  Forks, 
Bear  Creek,  Yuba,  Feather  River,  and  the  Sacra 
mento.  The  mines  are  nothing  more  than  so  manj 
ravines,  which  run  across  from  the  range  of  mountains, 
and  are  flooded  by  the  torrents  which  pour  down  from 
the  upper  region  during  the  rainy  season,  and  which 
have  been  supposed  to  bring  the  gold  down  with  them. 

The  Macalamo  Dry  Diggings  is  considered  one  of 
the  richest  placers  in  the  gold  region.  It  is  a  long 
ravine,  the  soil  of  which  is  red,  and  sometimes  blueiah 


74  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

in  places,  sand  predominating.  The  blue  clay  is 
thought  to  be  the  richest  by  the  diggers.  The  sides 
of  the  ravine  are  so  steep  and  irregular,  that  the  miners 
are  troubled  to  find  resting  places  of  a  night.  The 
gold  taken  out  of  this  mine  runs  large ;  the  average 
size  of  the  lumps  being  that  of  a  pea.  Pieces  have 
been  taken  out  of  it  that  weighed  above  two  pounds. 

Instances  of  robbery  and  murder  have  not  been  few  in 
the  gold  region,  as  might  be  conjectured  from  a  know- 
ledge of  the  motley  character  of  the  miners,  and  the 
temptations  offered  to  avaricious  spirits.  Yet,  all 
things  considered,  the  number  of  instances  will  not 
appear  so  very  extraordinary.  Lynch  law,  the  only 
resort  of  the  wronged  in  pocket,  or  the  friends  of  the 
murdered,  exercised  its  terrible  power,  and  tended  to 
prevent  the  crimes  that  would,  otherwise,  have  been 
frequent.  An  instance  of  this  summary  justice  we 
here  relate,  to  illustrate  the  means  by  which  the  miners 
protected  their  lives  and  property. 

"A  sailor,  a  deserter  from  the  Ohio,  took  it  into 
his  head,  one  night,  to  rob  one  of  the  volunteers,  who 
had  set  up  a  drinking  store.  lie  had  already  got  two 
bags,  containing  about  five  thousand  dollars'  worth  of 
gold  ;  but,  not  satisfied  with  them,  grasped  at  a  third, 
half  full  of  dollars  in  silver.  The  jingling  of  the  coin 
awoke  the  owner,  who,  springing  up,  gave  the  alarm, 
and,  after  a  hot  pursuit,  the  thief  was  captured,  and 
bound  to  a  tree  until  morning.  At  about  nine,  a  jury 
of  twelve  miners  sat  to  consider  the  case,  a  volunteer 
named  Nutman  officiating  for  Judge  Lynch.  Of 
course,  he  was  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be 
hanged ;  but,  some  opposition  being  raised  to  depriving 
him  of  life,  and  a  milder  punishment  suggested ;  it  was 
finally  determined  that  he  should  receive  a  hundred 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  75 

lashes  on  his  bare  back,  have  his  ears  cut  off,  and  his 
head  shaved,  so  that  he  might  be  every  where  recog 
nized  in  tht  mining  districts.  This  sentence  gave 
general  satisfaction.  The  poor  wretch  was  at  once 
fastened  by  his  hands  to  the  branch  of  a  tree,  and  tho 
fellows  proceeded  to  shave  his  head,  whilst  some 
sailors  of  the  party  set  to  work  manufacturing  cats. 
His  feet  were  then  tied  together  to  the  foot  of  the  tree, 
and  when  his  head  had  been  shaved,  a  doctor  lopped 
off  his  ears.  He  bled  a  good  deal ;  but,  when  the 
blood  was  staunched,  they  set  to  flogging  him,  and 
they  didn't  spare^him  either.  After  this,  they  kicked 
him  out. 

"  Well,  he  went  off,  and  when  he  was  about  half  a 
mile  away,  stnlp  »  mule,  and  rode  over  to  the  '  Cala- 
teras'  digging,  where  the  animal  was  claimed  by  the 
owner.  He  was  thereupon  tried  for  mule-stealing, 
and  sentenced  to  receive  another  flogging  ;  but  when 
the  miners  came  to  strip  him,  they  found  his  back  so 
shockingly  cut  up,  that  they  took  compassion  on  him, 
and  contented  themselves  with  driving  him  out  of  the 
district,  where  he  never  appeared  again." 

During  the  summer  season,  when  exposure  and 
labor  in  the  mines,  together  with  unwholesome  fo<>d, 
produce  a  great  prevalence  of  fever  and  dysentery, 
the  native  Californians  make  use  of  a  singular  remedy. 
It  is  called  the  temascal ;  being  a  sort  of  hot  air  bath, 
shaped  something  like  a  sentry-box.  It  is  built  of 
wicker-work,  and  afterwards  plastered  with  mud  until 
it  becomes  air  tight.  The  mode  of  application  of  this 
remedy  is  as  follows : — A  large  fire  is  built  close  up 
to  the  door  of  the  structure — a  narrow  aperture,  just 
large  enough  for  a  man  to  squeeze  through.  This  is 
allowed  to  burn  itself  out,  having  while  burning, 


75  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

heated  to  a  very  high  degree  the  air  in  the  interior 
of  the  box.  Into  this  the  patient  screws  himself,  and 
there  remains  until  a  profuse  perspiration*Ss  produced, 
which  is  checked  suddenly  by  a  plunge  into  the  chilly 
waters  of  the  river.  This  is  of  the  nature  of  a  Thomp- 
sonian  remedy. 

The  absorbing  interest  with  which  the  gold-seekers 
proceed  in  their  work  is  admirably  depicted  by  one 
of  the  adventurers,  in  a  book  published  after  his 
return.* 

"  Arriving  on  the  bar,  the  scene  presented  to  us 
was  new  indeed,  and  not  more  extraordinary  than 
impressive.  Some  with  long-handled  shovels,  delved 
among  clumps  of  bushes,  or  by  the  side  of  large  rocks, 
never  raising  their  eyes  for  an  instant ;  others  with 
pick  and  shovel  worked  among  stone  and  gravel,  or 
with  trowels  searched  under  banks  and  roots  of  trees, 
where,  if  rewarded  with  small  lumps  of  gold,  the  eye 
shone  brighter  for  an  instant,  when  the  aearch  was 
immediately  and  more  ardently  resumed.  At  the 
edge  of  the  stream,  or  knee  deep  and  waist  deep  in 
water,  as  cold  as  melted  ice  and  snow  could  make  it, 
some  were  washing  gold  with  tin  pans  or  the  common 
cradle  rocker,  while  the  rays  of  the  sun  were  pouring 
down  on  their  beads,  with  an  intensity  exceeding  any 
thing  we  ever  experienced  at  home,  though  it  was  but 
the  middle  of  April. 

"  The  thirst  for  gold  and  the  labor  of  acquisition 
overruled  all  else,  and  totally  absorbed  every  faculty. 
Complete  silence  reigned  among  the  miners ;  they 
addressed  not  a  word  to  each  other,  and  seemed  averse 
to  all  conversation.  All  the  sympathies  of  common 


r. 


Sight*  in  the  Sold  Region,  o  -  Scenes  by  the  Way,  by  Theodore 

1Xhn«An 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  77 

lumanity,  all  the  finer  and  noble  attributes  of  om 
nature  seemed  lost,  buried  beneath  the  soil  they  were 
eagerly  delving,  tfr  swept  away  with  the  rushing  waters 
that  revealed  the  shining  treasure," 

This  extract  is  suggestive  of  considerable  reflection. 
The  same  amount  of  attention  given  to  any  pursuit 
must  produce  results  equally  as  satisfactory  as  that 
given  to  gold-seeking.  But  gold  carries  with  it  such 
obvious  enjoyments  to  the  grosser  minds,  that  tfie 
pursuit  of  it  alone  can  attract  their  attention  sufficiently 
to  effect  any  thing  considerable.  Could  the  pure 
enjoyments  connected  with  the  practice  of  virtue  be 
made  as  obvious  to  all  minds,  the  result  would  be 
something  at  which  the  philanthropist  might  rejoice. 

The  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  during  the  summer, 
m  the  valleys  and  canons  of  the  gold  region,  are  very 
remarkable.  From  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  till 
five  in  the  afternoon,  the  heat  is  almost  intolerable. 
The  sun's  rays  pour  down  through  an  atmosphere 
clear  and  dry,  and  their  power  is  increased  by  reflec- 
tion from  the  sides  of  the  canons  and  mountains,  and 
from  the  surface  of  the  streams.  During  the  night, 
the  air  becomes  so  cold  as  to  render  blankets  very 
serviceable.  This  is  caused  by  the  waters  of  the  different 
streams  rising  during  the  night,  their  volume  being 
increased  by  the  melting  of  the  snows  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  by  the  heat  of  the  previous  day. 

Thousands  of  Indians,  belonging  to  the  Snake, 
Shoshonee,  and  Crow  tribes,  are  at  work  at  the  mines. 
They  are  generally  employed  by  some  of  the  wealthy 
white  men,  and  are  paid  in  provisions  and  a  sort  of 
liquor  made  from  California  grapes,  called  pisco. 
What  money  or  gold  they  get  for  thejaaselves  is  spent 
in  gambling — a  vice  to  which  they  are  most  excessively 


78  HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

addicted.  Instances  are  not  few  of  their  having 
staked  the  produce  of  their  labor  during  some  weeks 
subsequent  to  the  game.  Many  of  the  Indians  desire 
no  other  pay  than  as  much  pisco  as  they  can  drink, 
with  a  little  acorn  bread. 

The  native  Californians  form  a  goodly  proportion 
of  the  gold-seekers.  Many  of  the  men  are  accom- 
panied by  their  wives,  who  are  attended  by  Indian 
girls.  The  graceful  Spanish  costume  of  the  Califor- 
nians adds  quite  a  feature  to  the  busy  scene  at  the 
mines.  There  may  be  seen  the  long,  lank  forms  of 
the  Yankees,  with  their  wide  white  trousers  and  straw 
hats  ;  the  half-naked  Indians  ;  the  native  born  Cali- 
fornians, with  their  dusky  visages  and  lustrous  black 
eyes.  The  latter  are  generally  clad  in  a  short,  tight 
jacket,  with  lace  trimming,  and  velvet  breeches,  with 
a  silk  sash  fastened  round  the  waist.  With  regard  to 
the  appearance  of  the  women,  and,  also,  for  the  sake 
of  the  description  of  one  of  the  evening  entertainments 
in  the  gold  region,  we  quote  from  a  recent  tourist,  to 
whom  we  have  been  indebted  before.* 

"  The  appearance  of  the  women  is  graceful  and 
coquettish.  Their  petticoats,  short  enough  to  display 
in.  most  instances  a  well-turned  ankle,  are  richly 
laced  and  embroidered,  and  striped  and  flounced  with 
gaudy  colors,  of  which  scarlet  seems  to  have  the  prefer- 
ence. Their  tresses  hang  in  luxuriant  plaits  down 
their  backs  ;  and  in  all  the  little  accessories  of  dress, 
such  as  earrings,  necklaces,  &c.,  the  costume  is  very 
rich.  Its  distinguishing  feature,  however,  is  the 
reboaO)  a  sort  of  scarf,  generally  made  of  cotton, 
which  answers  to  the  mantilla  of  Old  Spain.  It  is 

»  Four  Months  Among  the  Gold  Finders  of  California,  by  J.  Tyr 
whit  Brooks,  M.  D. 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  79 

worn  in  many  different  and  graceful  fashions — some- 
times twined  round  the  waist  and  shoulders  ;  at  others, 
hanging  in  pretty  festoons  about  the  figure,  but  always 
disposed  with  that  indescribable  degree  of  coquettish 
grace  which  Spanish  women  have  been  for  ages 
allowed  to  possess  in  the  management  of  the  fan  and 
the  mantilla.  Since  these  arrivals,  almost  every 
evening  a  fandango  is  got  up  on  the  green,  before 
some  of  the  tents.  The  term  fandango,  though  origin- 
ally signifying  a  peculiar  kind  of  dance,  seemed  to  be 
used  here  for  an  evening's  dancing  entertainment,  in 
which  many  different  pas  are  introduced.  I  was  pre- 
sent at  a  fandango  a  few  nights  ago,  when  a  couple 
of  performers  were  dancing  *  el  jarabe,'  which  seemed 
to  consist  chiefly  of  a  series  of  monotonous  toe  and 
heel  movements  on  the  ground.  The  motions  of  the 
foot  were,  however,  wonderfully  rapid,  and  always  in 
exact  time  to  the  music.  But  at  these  entertainments 
the  waltz  seems  to  be  the  standing  dish.  It  is  danced 
with  numerous  very  intricate  figures,  to  which  however, 
all  the  Californians  appear  quite  au  fait.  Men  and 
women  alike  waltz  beautifully,  with  an  easy,  graceful 
swinging  motion. 

"It  is  quite  a  treat,  after  a  hard  day's  work 
to  go  at  nightfall  to  one  of  these  fandangos.  The 
merry  notes  of  the  guitar  and  the  violin  announce 
them  to  all  comers ;  and  a  motley  enough  looking 
crowd,  every  member  of  which  is  puffing  away 
at  a  cigar,  forms  an  applauding  circle  around  the 
dancers,  who  smoke  like  all  the  rest.  One  cannot 
help  being  struck  by  the  picturesque  costume  and 
graceful  movements  of  the  performers,  who  appear  to 
dance  not  only  with  their  legs,  but  with  all  their  hearta 
and  souls.  During  the  interval  between  the  dances. 


80  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

coffee  is  consumed  by  the  senoras,  and  the  coffee  with 
something  stronger  by  the  senors ;  so  that,  as  the 
night  advances,  the  merriment  gets,  if  not  '  fast  and 
furious,'  at  least  animated  and  imposing." 

The  dangers  which  the  adventurers  are  subjected  to 
sncounter  are  often  increased  by  the  hostility  of  the 
Indians.  These,  however,  only  molest  those  who  are 
daring  enough  to  frequent  the  outskirts  of  the  gold 
region.  There  the  Indians  are  treacherous,  and  will 
attack  small  parties,  even  after  smoking  the  pipe  of 
peace  with  them.  Their  principal  weapons  are  bows 
and  arrows ;  for  though  many  of  them  have  guns  in 
their  possession,  the  scarcity  of  ammunition  prevents 
them  from  using  them  to  any  purpose.  The  following 
description  of  an  encounter  with  them  by  a  small  party, 
encamped  in  the  valley  of  the  Bear  RJTST,  then  seldom 
frequented  by  white  men,  will  gbt  &n  idea  of  their 
mode  of  attack : 

"We  were  just  on  the  poi&t  of  returning  to  th& 
camp  to  dinner,  when  Dowling,  who  was  standing  near 
some  sage  bushes  at  the  uppe/  part  of  the  ravine, 
heard  a  rustling  among  them,  and  on  moving  in  the 
direction  of  the  noise  «av  an  Indian  stealthily  creeping 
along,  who,  as  soon  M  he  perceived  he  was  discovered, 
discharged  an  arrow  ?rhich  just  missed  its  mark,  but 
lacerated,  and  tr.at  rather  severely,  Bowling's  ear. 
The  savage  immediately  set  up  a  most  terrific  whoop, 
and  ran  off,  bur  tumbled  before  he  could  draw  another 
arrow  from  bis  quiver,  while  Dowling,  rushing  for- 
ward, buried  his  mattock  in  the  head  of  his  fallen  foe, 
killing  him  instantaneously. 

"  At  this  moment  we  heard  the  crack  of  a  rifle  in 
the  direction  of  the  camp,  which,  with  the  Indian's 
irhoop  at  the  same  moment,  completely  bewildered  us. 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  81 

Every  man,  however,  seized  his  rifle,  and  DowKng, 
hastening  towards  us,  told  us  of  what  had  just  occurred. 
All  was  still  for  the  next  few  moments,  and  I  mounted 
a  little  hill  to  reconnoitre.  Suddenly  I  saw  a  troop  of 
Indians,  the  foremost  of  them  on  horseback,  approach- 
ing at  full  speed.  I  hastily  returned  to  my  companions, 
and  we  sought  shelter  in  a  little  dell,  determined  to 
await  there,  and  resist  the  attack,  for  it  was  evident 
that  the  savages'  intentions  were  any  thing  hut  pacific. 
"  It  was  a  moment  of  breathless  excitement.  We 
heard  the  tramp,  tramp  of  the  horses  coming  on 
towards  us,  but  as  yet,  they  and  their  riders  were 
concealed  from  our  view.  I  confess  I  trembled  vio- 
lently, not  exactly  with  fear,  although  I  expected  that 
a  few  moments  would  see  us  all  scalped  by  our  savage 
assailants.  It  was  the  suddenness  of  the  danger  which 
startled  me,  and  made  my  heart  throb  violently  ;  but 
at  that  moment,  just  as  I  was  reproaching  myself  with 
the  want  of  courage,  a  terrific  yell  rung  through  the 
air  at  a  short  distance  from  us,  and  forty  or  fifty  war- 
like Indians  appeared  in  sigh*.  My  whole  frame  was 
nerved  in  an  instant,  and  when  a  shower  of  arrows 
flew  amongst  us,  I  was  the  first  man  to  answer  it  with 
a  rifle-shot,  which  brought  one  of  the  foremost  Indians 
off  his  horse  to  the  ground.  I  instantly  reloaded,  but 
in  the  mean  while  the  rifles  of  my  companions  had  been 
doing  good  service.  We  had  taken  up  our  position 
behind  a  row  of  willow  trees  which  skirted  the  banks 
of  a  narrow  stream,  and  here  we  were  protected  in  a 
great  measure  from  the  arrows  of  our  assailants,  which 
were  in  most  cases  turned  aside  by  the  branches.  A 
second  volley  of  rifle-shots  soon  followed  the  first ; 
and  while  we  were  reloading,  and  the  smoke  had 
slightly  cleared  away,  I  could  se«  that  we  had  spread 


82  HISTOEY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

consternation  in  the  ranks  of  the  Indian  warriors,  and 
that  they  were  gathering  up  their  wounded  prepara- 
tory to  retiring.  I  had  my  eye  on  an  old  man,  whe 
had  just  leaped  from  his  horse.  My  finger  was  on 
the  trigger,  when  I  saw  him  coolly  advance,  and, 
taking  one  of  his  wounded  companions,  who  had  been 
shot  through  the  leg,  in  his  arms,  place  him  on  a 
horse,  then  mounting  his  own,  and  catching  hold  of 
the  other  animal's  bridle,  gallop  off  at  full  speed. 
Although  I  knew  full  well  that  if  the  fortune  of  the 
day  had  gone  against  us,  these  savages  would  not 
have  spared  a  single  man  of  our  party,  still  I  could 
not  find  it  in  my  heart  to  fire  on  the  old  chief,  and  he 
carried  off  his  wounded  comrade  in  safety. 

"  In  a  few  minutes  the  hill-sides  were  clear,  and 
when  we  emerged  from  our  shelter,  all  that  was  visible 
of  the  troop  of  warriors  was  three  of  them  weltering 
in  their  blood,  a  bow  or  two,  and  some  empty  quivers, 
and  a  few  scattered  feathers  and  tomahawks,  lying  on 
the  ground." 

The  grizzly  bear  is  also  one  of  the  terrors  encoun- 
tered by  the  gold-seekers.  This  animal  grows  to  the 
size  of  four  feet  in  height  and  six  in  length.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  ferocious  animals  of  North  America. 
Mules  and  cattlo  of  various  kinds,  and  even  men,  are 
attacked  by  it,  and  its  great  strength  generally  enables 
it  to  come  off  with  its  prey.  Great  quickness  and 
courage  are  absolute  essentials  of  those  who  hunt  these 
animals,  or  encounter  them  accidentally.  An  adven- 
ture of  two  or  three  gold-seekers,  on  their  road  to  the 
mines,  accidentally  meeting  with  a  grizzly  bear,  ia 
thus  shortly  detailed  in  the  journal  of  a  returned 
adventurer.* 

*  Six  Months  in  the  Gold  Mines,  by  £.  Gould  Buffum 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  84 

"  About  half  way  from  the  rancheria  a  loud  I  ray- 
ing, followed  by  a  fierce  growl,  attracted  our  attention, 
and  in  a  few  moments  a  frightened  mule,  closely  pur- 
sued by  an  enormous  grizzly  bear,  descended  the 
hill-side  within  forty  yards  of  where  we  stood  leaning 
on  our  rifles.  As  the  bear  reached  the  road,  Higgins-, 
with  his  usual  quickness  and  intrepidity,  fired,  and  an 
unearthly  yell  from  the  now  infuriated  animal  told 
with  what  effect.  The  mule  in  the  interval  had  crossed 
the  road,  and  was  now  scampering  away  over  the 
plains,  and  Bruin,  finding  himself  robbed  of  his  prey, 
turned  upon  us.  I  levelled  my  rifle  and  gave  him  the 
contents  with  hearty  good  will,  but  the  wounds  he  had 
received  only  served  to  exasperate  the  monster,  who 
now  made  towards  us  with  rapid  strides.  Deeming 
prudence  the  better  part  of  valor,  we  ran  with  all  con- 
venient speed  in  the  direction  of  the  camp,  within  a 
hundred  yards  of  which  my  foot  became  entangled  in 
the  underbrush,  and  I  fell  headlong  upon  the  earth. 
In  another  instant  I  should  have  fallen  a  victim  to 
>ld  Bruin's  rage,  but  a  well-directed  ball  from  my 
companion's  rifle  entered  his  brain  and  arrested  his 
career.  The  whole  party  now  came  to  our  assistance 
and  soon  despatched  Mr.  Grizzly.  Dragging  him  to 
camp,  we  made  a  hearty  supper  from  his  fat  ribs,  and, 
as  I  had  probably  been  the  more  frightened  of  the 
two,  I  claimed  as  an  indemnity  his  skin,  which  pro- 
tected me  afterward  from  the  damp  ground  many  a 
cold  night.  He  was  a  monstrous  fellow,  measuring 
nearly  four  feet  in  height,  and  six  in  length,  and  a 
stroke  from  his  hug*e  paw  would,  had  he  caught  us, 
have  entirely  dissipated  the  golden  dreams  of  Higgins 
and  myself." 

The  same  writer  gives  quite  a  graphic  description 


84  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

of  an  attack  of  the  scourge  of  the  miners,  the  disease 
called  scurvy.     He  says: 

"  I  was  again  dreaming  of  fortune  and  success,  whei 
my  hopes  were  blasted  by  an  attack  of  a  terriblfl 
scourge  that  wrought  destruction  through  the  northern 
mines  during  the  winter  of  1848.  I  allude  to  the  land 
scurvy.  The  exposed  and  unaccustomed  life  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  miners,  and  their  entire  subsistence  upon 
salt  meat,  without  any  mixture  of  vegetable  matter, 
had  produced  this  disease,  which  was  experienced  more 
or  less  by  one-half  of  the  miners  within  my  knowledge. 
Its  symptoms  and  progress  may  not  be  uninteresting. 
It  was  first  noticed  in  the  'Dry  Diggings,'  where, 
about  the  middle  of  February,  many  persons  were 
rendered  unable  to  walk  by  swellings  of  the  lower 
limbs,  and  severe  pains  in  them.  It  was  at  first  sup- 
posed to  be  rheumatism,  and  was  treated  as  such. 
But  it  withstood  the  most  powerful  applications  used 
in  that  complaint,  and  was  finally  decided  to  be  scurvy. 
So  long  as  the  circumstances  which  caused  it  continued, 
the  disease  made  rapid  progress.  Many,  who  could 
obtain  no  vegetables,  or  vegetable  acids,  lingered  out 
a  miserable  existence  and  died, — while  others,  fortu- 
nate enough  to  reach  the  settlements,  where  potatoes 
and  acids  could  be  procured,  recovered.  I  noticed  its 
first  attack  upon  myself  by  swelling  and  bleeding  of 
the  gums,  which  was  followed  by  a  swelling  of  both 
legs  below  the  knee,  which  rendered  me  unable  tc 
walk ;  and  for  three  weeks  I  was  laid  up  in  my  tent, 
obliged  to  feed  upon  the  very  articles  that  had  caused 
the  disease,  and  growing  daily  weaker,  without  any 
reasonable  prospect  of  relief.  There  were,  at  that 
time,  about  eight  hundred  persons  at  work  on  the  river, 
and  hoping  to  get  s  pme  medicine,  I  despatched  one  o/ 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  85 

my  companions  one  morning,  with  instructions  to 
procure  me,  if  possible,  a  dose  of  salts,  and  to  pay  for 
it  any  price  that  should  be  asked.  He  returned  at 
night  with  the  consoling  news  that  he  had  failed, 
having  found  only  two  persons  who  had  brought  the 
irticle  with  them,  and  they  refused  to  sell  it  at  any  price. 
"  I  was  almost  in  despair;  with  only  a  blanket  be- 
tween myself  and  the  damp,  cold  earth,  and  a  thin 
canvas  to  protect  me  from  the  burning  sun  by  day, 
and  the  heavy  dews  by  night,  I  lay  day  after  day 
enduring  the  most  intense  suffering  from  pain  in  my 
limbs,  which  were  now  becoming  more  swollen,  and 
were  turning  completely  black.  Above  me  rose  those 
formidable  hills  which  I  must  ascend  ere  I  could 
obtain  relief.  I  believe  I  should  have  died,  had  not 
accident  discovered  the  best  remedy  that  could  hare 
been  produced.  In  the  second  week  of  my  illness, 
one  of  our  party,  hi  descending  the  hill  on  which  he 
had  been  deer  hunting,  found  near  its  base,  and  strewn 
along  the  foot-track,  a  quantity  of  beans  which  sprouted 
from  the  ground,  and  were  in  leaf.  Some  one,  in 
descending  the  hill  with  a  bag  of  them  on  his  back, 
had  probably  dropped  them.  My  companion  gathered 
a  quantity  and  brought  them  into  camp.  I  had  them 
boiled,  and  lived  entirely  on  them  for  several  days,  at 
the  same  time  using  a  decoction  of  the  bark  of  the 
spruce  tree.  These  seemed  to  operate  magically ;  and 
in  a  week  after  commencing  the  use  of  them,  I  found 
myself  able  to  walk, — and  as  soon  as  my  strength  was 
partially  restored,  I  ascended  the  hill,  and  with  two 
companions  walked  into  Culoma  ;  and  by  living  prin- 
cipally upon  a  vegetable  diet,  which  I  procured  by 
paying  three  dollars  per  pound  for  potatoes,  in  a  very 
*hort  time  I  recovered." 

E  7 


86  HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA. 

Thus  life  in  the  gold  region  is  made  up  of  variety 
and  contrast.  Sometimes  the  diggers  and  washers 
pass  weeks  busily  engaged  at  their  toilsome  occupation, 
without  the  monotony  of  the  time  and  scene  being 
disturbed.  Again,  adventures  and  exciting  incidents 
will  be  plentiful  and  various.  At  one  time,  pleasant 
weather  and  fandangos  offer  easy  enjoyment ;  at 
another,  extremes  of  weather,  hard  work,  and  bad 
food  render  the  life  of  the  miner  almost  intolerable. 
Frequently,  the  gold-seeker  chances  to  meet  spots 
that  yield  ample  reward  for  his  toil ;  and  often  he 
works  beneath  the  fierce  rays  of  a  broiling  sun,  while 
his  legs  are  in  chilly  water,  and  his  day's  toil  scarce 
yields  more  than  enough  to  pay  for  his  living.  The 
trading-posts,  situated  at  and  near  the  mines,  do  a  far 
more  certain  and  an  equally  profitable  business.  They 
are  generally  the  establishments  of  shrewd,  speculat- 
ing Yankees,  who  know  what  sort  of  labor  is  requisite 
to  make  a  gold-seeker  successful,  and  prefer  to  trust 
to  the  profits  of  bargaining  in  provisions  and  mining 
necessaries  for  gold. 

That  the  country  is  pregnant  with  an  enormous 
quantity  of  the  precious  metal  is  unquestionable.  But 
that  severe  and  weakening  labor,  together  with  tough 
constitutions,  are  indispensable  requisites  for  pro- 
curing it,  scarcely  admits  of  a  doubt.  Very  few  spend 
any  considerable  time  in  working  at  the  "  diggings," 
who  do  not  suffer  from  exposure,  and  lose  a  portion 
of  their  constitutional  stability.  So  far,  all  attempts 
at  the  construction  of  machines  for  washing  the  gold 
from  the  sand,  have  been  of  little  avail.  Machines 
have  been  invented  and  carried  out  to  the  gold  region 
by  some  of  the  numerous  companies,  which,  upon 
trial,  have  soon  been  abandoned  for  the  "  cradle,"  and 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  81 

common  wash  pan  ;  but  still,  the  field  for  invention  u 
open,  and  the  labor  now  necessary  for  procuring  the 
gold  is  susceptible  of  considerable  diminution.  Of 
course,  the  means  of  transporting  provisions  and  other 
necessaries  to  the  mines  are  constantly  improving,  as 
the  country  is  becoming  settled ;  and  thus,  one  great 
source  of  privation  and  disease  is  rapidly  diminishing. 


CHAPTER   VIIL 

DESCRIPTION  OF  SOME  OF  THE  CITIES  AND  TOWNS  OB 
CALIFORNIA,  BEFORE  AND  AFTER  THE  DISCOVERY  OP 
THE  GOLD  MINES. 

AT  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  the  existence  of 
gold  in  the  region  of  the  Sacramento,  San  Francisco 
was  a  very  inconsiderable  town.  As  soon  as  the  news 
of  the  discovery  was  spread  among  its  inhabitants,  it 
became  almost  deserted.  Indeed,  at  one  time,  there 
was  only  seven  male  inhabitants  left  in  the  town.  The 
site  of  the  present  city  of  San  Francisco  was  not  then 
occupied  by  more  than  fifty  houses  in  all.  These 
were  occupied  by  a  few  foreign  merchants  and  some 
native  Californians.  The  houses  were  rudely  con- 
structed, the  principal  materials  being  adobe's,  or  un- 
burnt  bricks.  They  were  generally  one  story  high, 
and  most  of  them  were  erected  near  the  beach ;  while  at 
the  rear  of  the  "town,"  was  a  sandy  plain  terminated 
by  a  range  of  hills.  But  as  soon  as  the  news  of  the 
gold  discovery  reached  the  United  States,  and  other 
countries,  companies  for  mining  purposes  were  imme- 


88  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

diately  formed,  and  emigrants  soon  crowded  every 
route  to  the  "  Land  of  Promise."  Then  San  Francisco 
began  to  be  the  great  receptacle  of  th'e  emigrants  and 
the  merchandise  of  various  kinds  necessary  for  their 
maintenance.  The  following  is  a  very  complete  pic- 
ture of  the  city  after  the  spreading  of  the  gold  news, 
and  the  flood  of  emigration  had  commenced. 

"  Numberless  vessels,  mostly  from  the  United  States, 
filled  the  bay,  in  front  of  San  Francisco,  many  of  them 
being  deserted  by  their  crews,  and  unable  to  procure 
others  to  take  their  places.  On  landing,  I  had  to 
clamber  up  a  steep  hill,  on  the  top  of  which,  and 
opposite  to  where  I  stood,  was  a  large  wooden  house, 
two  stories  high,  and  scarcely  half  finished.  In  the 
rear  of  this,  rose  another  and  a  steeper  hill,  whose 
slopes  were  covered  with  a  multiplicity  of  tents.  To 
my  right,  ran  a  sort  of  steep,  or  precipice,  defended 
by  sundry  pieces  of  cannon,  which  commanded  the 
entrance  to  the  harbor.  I  next  came  to  the  '  Point,' 
and,  crossing  it,  found  myself  within  the  town. 

"  The  first  objects  that  attracted  my  notice  were 
several  canvas  houses,  measuring  from  ten  to  forty 
feet  square,  some  being  grog-shops,  others  eating 
establishments,  and  the  larger  set  apart  as  warehouses, 
or  places  of  storage.  The  proprietors  of  the  latter 
were  making  enormous  sums  by  the  accommodation 
their  tents  afforded  to  the  hundreds  of  travellers  who 
were  arriving  every  day  from  different  parts,  and  who, 
being  extremely  embarrassed  as  to  what  they  should 
do  with  their  luggage,  were  heartily  glad  to  find  any 
safe  place  to  store  it  in,  and  content  to  pay  for  the 
convenience. 

"The  spectacle  which  the*. beach  presented  from  a 
convenient  opening,  whence  I  could  comprise  the 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  89 

whole  at  a  glance,  was  singularly  interesting  and 
curious.  A  crowd  of  individuals,  in  motley  garb,  and 
of  every  variety  of  race,  might  be  seen  pressing  eagerly 
upward  towards  the  town,  jostling  and  pushing  one 
another,  in  their  anxiety  to  be  first,  yet  looking  eagerly 
about  them,  as  if  to  familiarize  themselves  at  once 
with  the  country  of  their  adoption.  Here  were  dandies 
from  the  United  States  and  from  France,  picking  their 
steps  mincingly,  as  they  strove  to  keep  pace  with  the 
sturdy  fellows  who  carried  their  luggage  ;  their  beaver 
hats,  fashionable  frock-coats,  irreproachable  and  well- 
strapped  pantaloons,  exciting  the  derisive  remarks  of 
the  spectators,  the  majority  of  them  '  old  Calif ornians,' 
whose  rough  labor  at  the  '  diggins'  had  taught  them 
to  estimate  such  niaiseries  at  their  proper  value.  By 
their  side  stalked  the  stately  and  dignified  Spaniard, 
covered  with  his  broad-brimmed,  low-crowned  sombrero, 
and  gracefully  enveloped  in  his  ample  aerapa,  set  off 
by  a  bright  scarlet  sash.  He  turns  neither  to  the 
right  nor  to  the  left,  nor  heeds  the  crowd  about  him, 
but  keeps  on  the  even  tenor  of  his  way — though  even 
he  has  occasionally  to  jump  for  it — presenting,  in  his 
demeanor  and  costume,  a  striking  contrast  to  the 
more  bustling  activity  of  the  Yankees,  who  are  elbow- 
ing every  one,  in  their  anxiety  to  go  a-head.  A  lot 
of  shopboys,  too— mere  lads,  as  spruce  and  neatly 
attired  as  though  they  had  just  stepped  out  of  some 
fashionable  emporium,  mingle  with  the  rest,  and,  as 
they  enter  the  town,  strike  up  the  popular  parody — 

•  Oh,  California.     That's  the  land  for  me  1 
I'm  bound  for  the  Sacramento,  with 
The  wash-bowl  on  my  knee/ 

And    presently,    their    brother-adventurers,   excited 


90  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

by  hopes  of  the  wildest  kind,  join  vociferously  in 
chorus,  in  the  exuberance  of  their  joy. 

"  A  group  of  Englishmen,  muscular  in  form,  and 
honest  in  feature,  are  chaffering  with  the  keen-witted 
Yankee  porters  for  the  carriage  of  their  luggage. 
There  is  an  air  of  dogged  resolution  about  them,  that 
plainly  indicates  they  will  not  submit  to  what  they 
evidently  consider  an  imposition.  Such  a  sum  for  BO 
slender  a  service  !  Well,  then,  they  can  carry  their 
baggage  themselves :  so  they  will ;  and,  quickly 
shouldering  it,  some  depart  in  the  track  of  the  rest, 
whilst  two  or  three  remain  behind,  to  watch  .what  is 
left,  until  their  friends  return.  They  are  manifestly 
well  known  to  one  another,  and  seem  to  be  almost 
intimate  ;  the  voyage  has  made  them  friends. 

"  Here  come  a  number  of  Chilians  and  Peruvians, 
and  a  goodly  number  of  natives  from  the  Sandwich 
Islands.  A  couple  of  Irishmen,  too  !  I  know  them 
by  their  vivacity,  and  by  the  odd  trick  they  have  of 
getting  into  every  body's  way ;  to  say  nothing  of  their 
broad,  merry  faces.  Their  property  is  in  common,  it 
seems;  for  they  have  only  one  small  pack  between 
them. 

"  Here  come  ten  or  a  dozen  plainly  but  comfortably 
dressed  mechanics ;  hard-working  men  they  seem,  and 
just  the  sort  of  persons  to  make  their  way  in  a  coun- 
try where  the  artisan  occupies  his  proper  position,  and 
where  honest  toil — and  dishonest,  too,  sometimes — is 
almost  certain  to  reap  a  harvest.  Far  differently  will 
you  fare,  and  far  preferable,  too,  will  be  your  lot,  in 
regions  where  privation  is  the  rule,  to  that  of  many 
amongst  your  numerous  fellow-travellers,  unaccus- 
tomed as  they  are  to  laborious  occupations — with 
frames  uninured  to  fatigue,  and  constitutions  unha- 


HISTORr   OF  CALIFORNIA.  $1 

bituated  to  scanty  fare,  to  exposure  to  heat  and  cold, 
and  wet  and  sudden  changes  !  Whilst  you  are  succeed- 
ing in  your  object,  they  will  grow  wearied,  disappointed, 
and  home-sick,  and  long  to  be  back  again  on  the 
theatre  of  their  former  struggles. 

"  The  human  stream  ceases  not  to  flow  from  the 
vessels  in  the  harbor ;  no  sooner  is  one  boat-load 
•disposed  of  than  another  arrives,  and  so  on,  until  the 
town  is  gorged  with  new-comers,  who,  after  a  few 
days'  sojourn,  to  recruit  their  strength,  after  the 
fatigues  of  a  long  and  irksome  voyage,  depart,  and 
are  seen  no  more  for  months;  many,  perhaps,  never 
to  return.  Ver7  few  of  this  vast  multitude  deserve 
the  epithet  of  poor.  To  get  here  at  all  requires 
money  ;  and  to  maintain  one's  self  after  getting  here, 
the  emigrant  must  have  some  little  means. 

"  The  majority  of  the  emigrants  are  men  occupying 
a  respectable  station  in  society ;  some  are  even 
distinguished  hi  their  calling ;  but  the  eager  desire  of 
making  a  fortune  in  a  hurry  has  induced  them  to 
threw  up  good  employments  and  comfortable  homes  ; 
to  leave  frieuis,  relatives,  connexions,  wife,  children, 
aivd  familiar  associations,  to  embark  their  strength, 
intelligence,  and  activity,  in  this  venture.  All  is 
bcistle  where  they  have  landed :  boats  going  to  and 
fro ;  rafts  slowly  discharging  their  cumbrous  loads  ; 
porters  anxiously  and  interestedly  civil ;  all  excited  ; 
all  bent  on  gain ;  ships  innumerable  ip  the  bay  ; 
mountains  around  ;  a  clear,  blue  sky  above ;  and  the 
brig.it  waters  dancing  in  the  sun,  until  they  touch  the 
horn  on  in  the  distance,  blending  their  brightness  with 
his  gulden  track. 

"  1  walked  on  until  I  came  up  to  a  group  of  men, 
who.  \ike  myself  werQ  looking  on  the  busy  scene 


92  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

before  us  with  no  small  degree  of  interest.  I  4 
nized  amongst  them  two  of  the  volunteers,  witl  tfi  >a 
I  forthwith  claimed  acquaintance.  The  whole  party 
had  come  from  the  mines,  as  was  easily  to  be  seen 
from  their  appearance,  which  was  something  the 
worse  for  wear,  their  countenances  being  weather- 
beaten  and  bronzed  by  exposure  ;  whilst  their  attire, 
consisting  of  buckskin  coats,  leather  leggings,  and 
broad-brimmed  hats,  denoted  the  sort  of  labor  in 
which  they  had  been  recently  engaged.  I  learned 
from  them,  in  the  course  of  a  subsequent  conversation, 
that  they  had  all  of  them  been  successful  at  the  'dig 
gings.'  One  of  the  number  had  made,  or  'picked, 
two  thousand  dollars,  and  the  rest,  from  that  to  niu<s 
thousand  dollars  each,  within  the  space  of  a  few 
months.  With  this,  however,  they  were  far  from 
satisfied,  most  of  them  being  determined  to  realize  a 
large  fortune  before  they  quitted  the  country ;  for  not 
one  of  them  seemed  to  have  the  remotest  intention  of 
settling. 

"  The  party  had  come  down  from  the  mines  to  make 
purchases,  and  to  enjoy  a  little  recreation.  They  were 
admirable  specimens  of  their  class — hardy  in  appear- 
ance and  rough  in  demeanor ;  but  shrewd,  withal,  and 
toil-enduring.  For  the  moment,  their  conversation 
turned  upon  the  prospects  of  the  newly-landed  emigrants 
— for  I  should  have  stated  that  there  were  one  or  two 
arrivals  in  the  harbor — and  they  were  unsparing  of 
their  remarks  upon  such  of  the  new  comers  as  by  their 
dress,  or  any  physical  peculiarity,  offered  a  fair  target 
for  their  witticisms,  which  were  not  less  pointed  than 
coarse. 

"  The  discovery  of  the  gold  mines,  has  done  at 
once  for  San  Francisco  what  it  was  reasonable  to 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  98 

anticipate  time  only  could  have  effected ;  and  its  pro- 
gress in  importance  has  far  outstripped  the  most 
sanguine  expectations  which  could  be  based  upon  any 
hypothesis  hazarded  on  the  strength  of  its  admirable 
position  and  facilities  for  trade.  Nevertheless,  its 
growth  seems  unnatural ;  and,  looking  at  it  as  I  saw 
it  then,  it  left  on  my  mind  the  impression  of  instability, 
BO  marvellous  was  it  to  gaze  upon  a  city  of  tents,  wood, 
and  canvas,  starting  up  thus  suddenly,  forming  but  a 
halting-place  to  the  thousands  who  visited  it ;  having 
for  citizens  a  large  majority  of  gamblers  and  specula- 
tors ;  and  presenting  of  civilization  but  the  rudest 
outline,  and  some  of  its  worst  vices.  It  was  impossible, 
indeed,  for  an  observer  to  contemplate  San  Francisco, 
at  this  particular  period  of  its  history,  and  not  to  feel 
that  every  thing  about  it  savored  of  transition.  A 
storm  or  a  fire  must  have  destroyed  the  whole  in  a  few 
hours ;  for  every  house,  shed,  or  tent,  had  manifestly 
been  constructed  merely  to  serve  the  end  of  the  actual 
occupier ;  they  were  all  adapted  for  trading,  but  not 
a  convenience  or  a  comfort  appertained  to  them,  to 
indicate  a  desire  or  an  intention  of  settlement.  Every 
day  brought  new-comers,  and  added  to  the  number  of 
ephemeral  structures  which  crowded  the  hill-sides. 
Mechanics  of  every  description  of  calling  were  at  work, 
earnestly,  busily,  and  cheerfully ;  and,  whichever  way 
I  turned,  there  was  bustle  and  activity ;  yet,  withal,  I 
felt  that  such  a  state  of  things  was  unsound,  because 
resting  on  what  was  essentially  speculative,  and  I 
doubted  not  but  a  great  change  must  come  before  the 
city  could  be  regarded  as  substantially  advancing. 
Comprised  at  a  glance,  it  presented  no  other  ap- 
pearance save  that  of  a  confused  crowd  of  tenements, 
of  every  variety  of  construction;  some  high,  some 


94  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

low,  perched  upon  the  steep  hills,  or  buried  in  thfc 
deep  valleys — but  still  tents  and  canvas  every 
where  and  any  where,  their  numbers  defying  calcula- 
tion, their  structure  and  position  all  analysis.  There 
existed  neither  wells  nor  ponds  within  a  very  consider- 
able distance  ;  and  what  struck  me  as  most  singular, 
being  aware  that  the  Spaniards  had  a  mission  here, 
there  was  no  sign  of  a  church.  I  subsequently  ascer- 
tained that  the  site  of  the  Mission  of  Dolores,  about 
five  miles  distant,  had  been  preferred  by  the  Spaniards, 
and  that  divine  service  was  performed  there  still. 

"  As  I  proceeded  along  the  road  leading  into  the 
principal  street  of  the  city,  I  was  uncomfortably  re- 
minded that  it  would  soon  become  necessary  for  me  to 
select  a  place  where  I  could  procure  refreshment ; 
and  in  connexion  with  this  necessity,  arose  another 
consideration  no  less  important,  namely,  where  I  should 
lodge  ?  There  was  no  other  mode  of  solving  the  diffi- 
culty, save  by  an  exploration  of  the  localities  ;  accord- 
ingly, I  kept  these  objects  in  view,  whilst  I  also  grati- 
fied my  curiosity  by  continuing  my  perambulations. 

"  In  this  same  road,  but  nearer  to  the  entrance  of 
the  main  street  than  I  should  say  was,  under  any  cir- 
cumstances, altogether  pleasant,  stood  the  correl  of  the 
Washington  Market,  being  a  spacious  area  of  ground, 
inclosed  with  stakes,  over  which  were  stretched  raw 
hides.  Owing  to  the  large  number  of  cattle  slaugh- 
tered here  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants,  the  odor 
from  this  place  was  insufferable,  and  I  quickened  my 
pace  until  my  olfactory  organs  became  sensible  of  a 
purer  atmosphere. 

"  I  turned  into  the  principal  street,  and  soon  came 
up  to  the  market  itself,  which  is  a  wooden  house,  about 
thirty  feet  square,  kept  by  an  American.  To  my 


HI8TORT  OF   CALIFORNIA.  95 

right,  as  I  advanced,  were  some  stores  and  hotels, 
and  a  confectioner's  shop  of  remarkably  neat  and 
clean  appearance  :  these  were  all  one  story,  wooden 
buildings.  One  of  the  hotels  was  appropriately  desig- 
nated as  '  The  Colonnade.'  It  was  kept  by  a  volun- 
teer named^Huxley,  and  differed  from  every  similar 
establishment  in  the  town,  inasmuch  as  the  proprietor 
allowed  neither  gambling  nor  drunkenness  on  his 
premises.  To  this  the  '  Gotham  Saloon,'  a  little  fur- 
ther on,  offered  a  perfect  contrast,  for  here  there  were 
several  monte  rooms  and  a  large  bowling-alley,  where 
persons  who  had  a  taste  for  the  latter  amusement 
might  indulge  in  their  favorite  pastime  for  a  dollar  a 
game.  This  saloon  was  likewise  kept  by  two  volun- 
teers, as  was  also  the  confectioner's  by  a  fourth ;  so 
that  three  of  the  most  noted  houses  in  the  town  were 
rented  by  men,  who,  a  few  months  before,  scarcely  pos- 
sessed any  thing  save  their  enterprise  and  their  indus- 
try, but  who  were  now  on  the  high  road  to  opulence. 
The  more  credit  was  due  to  them,  and  others  of  their 
brethren  whom  fortune  had  similarly  favored,  because, 
at  first,  they  had  deep-rooted  prejudices  to  encounter, 
which  prudence  and  perseverance  only  could  have 
enabled  them  to  overcome. 

"I  came  next  to  the  Square,  or  'Plaza,'  on  one 
side  of  which,  and  fronting  it,  stood  the  '  Miner's 
Bank,'  established  by  a  Mr.  Wright,  a  keen  specula- 
tor, who  had  secured  possession  of  a  large  extent  of 
landed  property,  which  he  was  turning  to  the  very 
best  account.  On  the  left  of  the  Plaza,  I  noticed  a 
spacious-looking  wooden  building,  two  stories  high, 
called  the  'Parker  House  ;'  but  the  handsome  piazza 
in  front  caused  me  to  hesitate  on  the  threshold  ;  for  I 
apprehended — and  not  without  reason — that,  even  in 


96  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Caftforma,  appearances  must  be  paid  for ;  as;  'iiere- 
fere^my  purse  was  not  overstocked,  I  prudently  sought 
a  more  modest  establishment. 

"  I  passed  another  hotel,  similar  to  this  one,  but  not 
quite  so  large,  and  came  presently  to  ^  low  -wooden 
hcrase,  of  most  unattractive  and  unprepossessing  ex- 
terior, which  was  dignified  by  the  name  of  tho  '  Cafe, 
IPranftfis.'  As  this  seemed  likely  to  suit  my  present 
convenience,  and  to  promise  a  scale  of  prices  on  a  pa? 
with  its  external  appearance,  I  entered  boldly,  and 
seated  myself  at  the  dining-table.  I  noticed,  as  I  went 
in,  that,  notwithstanding  the  poverty  without,  there 
was  abundance  within;  the  counter  being  literally 
overcharged  with  French  pastry,  a  variety  of  ingenious 
culinary  preparations,  and  some  foreign  liquors. 

"  After  I  had  finished  my  repast,  consisting  of  a 
beef-steak,  two  eggs,  and  a  couple  of  cups  of  coffee,  I 
prepared  to  depart.  I  specify  the  items  of  which  my 
repast  was  made  up,  because  of  the  price  I  paid  for 
tfeem — namely,  two  tbllars  and  a  half.  I  was  informed, 
on  hazarding  an  observation  respecting  tiie  amount, 
that  the  charges  were  excessively  moderate,  any  thir^g 
in  the  shape  of  a  dinner  being  usually  charged  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents ;  half  a  dollar  each  for  the  eggs, 
which  were  extras,  was  onfy  a  reasonable  pri^e  for 
such  luxuries,  as  they  frequently  sold  for  double.  I 
considered  the  information  thus  obtained  to  be  cheap, 
of  its  kind,  and  went  away  with  a  mental  reservation 
not  to  eat  any  more  eggs  in  California,  unless  they 
were  ef  another  description  than  the  golden  ones. 

"  As  I  repassed  the  *  Parker  House,'  the  hotel,  par 
excellence,  of  San  Francisco,  I  went  in,  knowing  tl^,t, 
like  all  similar  establishments,  there  were  the  usual 
amusements  going  on  within. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  97 

"  This  is  not  only  the  largest,  but  the  handsomest 
building  in  San  Francisco  ;  and,  having  been  COH- 
structed  at  enormous  expense,  and  entirely  on  specula- 
tion, a  concurrence  of  fortunate  circumstances  alone, 
such  as  had  followed  upoa  the  discovery  of  the  gold 
mines,  ceuld  have  insured  its  prosperity.  It  was  new 
one  of  the  most  frequented,  fashionable,  and  firmly 
established  hotels  in  the  country ;  and,  in  so  far  as  it 
presented  a  model  to  the  builders  and  settlers  in  the 
town,  was  a  signal  illustration  of  the  shrewdness  and 
enterprise  of  the  Yankee  character,  and  a  standing 
credit  to  the  projectors  and  proprietors. 

u  It  is  built  entirely  of  wood,  and  contains  two  very 
spacious  principal  roo'Ms ;  the  one  a  dining-room,  the 
other  set  apart  for  billiards.  Besides  these,  there  are 
three  saloons  of  lesser  dimensions,  especially  devoted 
to  gambling,  and  two  well  supplied  bars — one  Below, 
to  the  right  of  the  entry,  the  oth.er  in  the  billiard- 
room.  The  portion  of  the  hotel  that  is  not  set  apart 
for  the  usual  offices  and  conveniences  is  divided  off 
into  innumerable  chambers,  which  are  oceupied  by  the 
superior  classes  of  emigrants — lawyers,  doctors,  money- 
brokers,  cum  multis  aliis. 

"  The  saloon  contains  two  vcj*y  handsome  billiard- 
tables,  which  are  constantly  occupied  by  players, 
chiefly  Americans,  some  of  them  of  fipst-rate  excel- 
lence. The  charge  was  a  dollar  per  game  oj »  hundred, 
and  they  were  no  saonej:  vacated  by  one  party  thaw 
another  came  in. 

"  The  establishment  contained  nine  gambling-tables, 
which  were  crowded  day  and  night,  by  the  citieej» 
and  the  miners ;  many  <jf  the  latter  staking  very  large 
sums  upon  the  turn  of  a  card.  The  stakes,  howeyer, 
varied  from  twenty-five  cents  to  five  thousand  dollars ; 


98  HISTORY    OF   CALIFOKNIA. 

and  the  excitement  of  some  of  the  losers  was  frequently 
fearful  to  contemplate.  Some  who  gained  largely 
prudently  withdrew ;  and  I  was  informed  that,  a  few 
days  previously  to  my  arrival,  a  new-comer  from  the 
States,  who  was  bound  for  the  mines,  having  come 
into  the  saloon,  and  tried  his  fortune  at  the  monte 
tables,  luckily  made  twenty  thousand  dollars,  with 
which  he  returned  home,  by  the  steamer,  two  days 
afterwards. 

"The  'Golden  Eagle,'  (VAguila  d'Oro)  is  another 
gambling  establishment,  situated  in  one  of  the  streets 
leading  into  the  Plaza.  It  is  a  canvas  house,  about 
fifty  feet  square,  fitted  up  with  the  requisites  for  play, 
and  let  out  by  the  proprietor  at  the  rate  of  fifteen 
hundred  dollars  a  month.  Every  available  spot  around 
the  tables  was  crowded  to  inconvenience  by  persons 
who  were  engaged  deeply  in  the  game,  the  majority 
standing  up  and  watching  the  chances  with  counte- 
nances betokening  the  greatest  excitement. 

"  I  now  proceeded  to  the  City  Hotel,  a  large  but 
somewhat  antiquated  building,  constructed  of  adobS, 
after  the  Spanish  fashion,  but  hybridized  by  American 
improvements.  The  interior  was  even  more  insuffer- 
able than  the  El  Dorado,  in  respect  of  the  boisterous- 
ness  of  its  frequenters.  In  the  first  room  that  I 
entered  were  five  gambling-tables,  doing  a  '  smashing 
business' — a  term  employed,  somewhat  in  contradic- 
tion to  its  import,  to  denote  prosperity.  The  majority 
of  the  players  were  Americans  and  other  foreigners, 
intermixed  with  a  goodly  number  of  Spaniards  of  the 
lowest  order.  There  was  the  same  excitement,  the 
same  recklessness,  and  the  same  trickery  here,  as  at 
the  other  gambling  saloons,  only  infinitely  more  noise 
Mid  smoke,  and  swearing  and  inebriety. 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  99 

"Here  I  met  with  another  of  the  volunteers,  who 
proposing  a  walk,  we  went  out  together,  and  proceeded 
to  the  Plaza.  I  "found  a  good  many  old  acquaintancss 
set  up  in  business  at  this  spot ;  one,  who  had  been  a 
captain,  had  recently  turned  money-broker,  and  now 
kept  an  office  for  the  exchange  of  coin  and  gold-dust, 
having  entered  into  partnership  with  a  highly  respect- 
able and  agreeable  individual,  of  active  business  habits, 
who  promised  to  prove  a  great  acquisition  to  the  con- 
cern. 

"We  soon  reached  a  low,  long,  adobe  building, 
situated  at  the  upper  side  of  the  square,  and  which 
my  companion  told  me  was  the  Custom  House.  To 
the  right  of  the  Plaza  stood  the  Saint  Charles's 
Hotel,  a  wooden  edifice  covered  in  with  canvas,  and 
the  Peytona  House,  an  establishment  of  a  similar 
description,  in  both  of  which  we  did  not  fail  to  find 
the  usual  games  carried  on. 

"  The  streets  leading  down  to  the  water-side  contain 
comparatively  few  hotels  or  eating-houses,  they  being 
chiefly  wood  and  canvas  trading-stores.  I  observed 
amongst  them  several  newly  opened  auction  and  com- 
mission-rooms, where  goods  were  being  put  up,  recom- 
mended and  knocked  down  in  true  Yankee  style.  An 
immense  number  of  wooden  frame-houses  in  course  of 
erection  met  our  view  in  every  direction ;  and  upon 
remarking  that  many  of  them  appeared  to  have  been 
purposely  left  incomplete,  I  ascertained  that  this  arose 
from  the  extreme  difficulty  of  procuring  lumber,  which, 
on  account  of  its  scarcity,  occasionally  fetched  an  in- 
credibly high  price.  A  good  deal  of  it  is  brought 
from  Oregon,  and  some  from  South  America.  Many 
of  the  larger  houses,  but  far  inferior,  notwithstanding, 
to  such  of  the  same  kind  as  could  easily  be  procured 


100  HISTORY  OP   CALIFORNIA. 

in  New  York  at  a  rental  of  from  300  to  400  dollars 
a-year,  cost  here  at  least  10,000  dollars  to  build  them, 
the  lots  on  which  they  were  erected  being  valued  at 
sums  varying  from  30,000  to  50,000  dollars,  according 
to  the  locality.  Many  spots  of  ground,  just  large 
enough  for  a  small  trading-house  or  a  tent  to  stand 
upon,  let  at  from  1200  to  2000  dollars. 

"  Amongst  the  various  emigrants  who  daily  flocked 
into  the  city — for  each  day  brought  its  fresh  arrivals 
— were  numerous  Chinese,  and  a  very  considerable 
number  of  Frenchmen,  from  the  Sandwhich  Islands 
and  from  South  America.  The  former  had  been 
consigned,  with  houses  and  merchandise,  to  certain 
Americans  in  San  Francisco,  to  whom  they  were 
bound  by  contract,  as  laborers,  to  work  at  a  scale  of 
wages  very  far  below  the  average  paid  to  mechanics 
and  others  generally.  The  houses  they  brought  with 
them  from  China,  and  which  they  set  up  where  they 
were  wanted,  were  infinitely  superior  and  more  sub- 
stantial than  those  erected  by  the  Yankees,  being 
built  chiefly  of  logs  of  wood,  or  scantling,  from  six  to 
eight  inches  in  thickness,  placed  one  on  the  top  of  the 
other,  to  form  the  front,  rear,  and  sides ;  whilst  the 
roofs  were  constructed  on  an  equally  simple  and  inge- 
nious plan,  and  were  remarkable  for  durability. 

"  These  Chinese  had  all  the  air  of  men  likely  to 
prove  good  citizens,  being  quiet,  inoffensive,  and  par- 
ticularly industrious.  I  once  went  into  an  eating- 
house,  kept  by  one  of  these  people,  and  was  astonished 
at  the  neat  arrangement  and  cleanliness  of  the  place, 
the  excellence  of  the  table,  and  moderate  charges.  It 
was  styled  the  '  Canton  Restaurant ;'  and  so  thoroughly 
Chinese  was  it  in  its  appointments,  and  in  the  manner 
of  service,  that  one  might  have  easily  fancied  one'f 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  101 

self  in  the  heart  of  the  Celestial  Empire.  Th&  Lar- 
keeper — though  he  spoke  excellent  English — xae  a 
Chinese,  as  were  also  the  attendants.  Every  article 
that  was  sold,  even  of  the  most  trifling  kind,  was  set 
down,  in, Chinese  characters,  as  it  was  disposed  of; 
it  heing  the  duty  of  one  of  the  waiters  to  attend  to 
this  department.  This  he  did  very  cleverly  and 
quickly,  having  a  sheet  of  paper  for  the  purpose,  on 
which  the  article  and  the  price  were  noted  down  in 
Chinese  characters,  by  means  of  a  long,  thin  brush, 
moistened  in  a  solution  of  Indian  or  Chinese  ink.  As 
I  had  always  been  given  to  understand  that  these 
people  were  of  dirty  habits,  I  feel  it  only  right  to 
state  that  I  was  delighted  with  the  cleanliness  of  this 
place,  and  am  gratified  to  be  able  to  bear  testimony 
to  the  injustice  of  such  a  sweeping  assertion. 

"  As  for  the  French,  they  seemed  entirely  out  of 
their  element  in  this  Yankee  town ;  and  this  circum- 
stance is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  when  the  climate  and 
the  habits  of  the  people  are  taken  into  consideration, 
and  also  the  strange  deficiencies  they  must  have 
observed  in  the  ordinary  intercourse  of  life  between 
the  citizens,  so  different  from  the  polished  address, 
common  even  amongst  the  peasantry  in  their  rudest 
villages ;  to  say  nothing  of  the  difficulty  of  carrying 
on  business  amongst  a  people  whose  language  they  did 
not  understand.  But  their  universal  goal  was  the 
mines  ;  and  to  the  mines  they  went,  with  very  few 
exceptions. 

"  Speaking  of  them  reminds  me  of  a  '  Oaf  6  Restau- 
rant,' in  San  Francisco,  kept  by  a  very  civil  French- 
man, and  situated  on  the  way  to  the  Point.  I  mention 
it,  because  I  one  day  made  here  the  most  uncomfort- 
able repast  it  had  ever  been  my  lot  to  sit  down  to. 

»* 


102  HISTOBT  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

Yet  this  was  not  owing  to  any  lack  of  attention  on  th« 
part  of  the  proprietor,  to  any  inferiority  in  the  quality 
of  his  provisions,  or  to  any  deficiency  of  culinary  skill 
in  their  preparation ;  but  simply  to  the  prevalence  of 
the  pest  to  which  I  have  already  alluded  as  invading 
my  own  tent,  namely,  the  dust.  The  house  was  built 
chiefly  of  wood,  and  had  a  caavas  roof,  but  this  was 
insufficient  to  keep  out  the  impalpable  particles  with 
which  the  air  was  charged,  and  which  settled  upon 
and  insinuated  themselves  into  every  article  in  the 
place.  There  was  dust  on  the  counter,  on  the  shelves, 
on  the  seats,  on  the  decanters,  and  in  them ;  on  the 
tables,  in  the  salt,  on  my  beef-steak,  and  in  my  coffee. 
There  was  dust  on  the  polite  landlord's  cheeks,  and  in 
his  amiable  wife's  eyes,  which  she  was  wiping  with  the 
corner  of  a  dusty  apron.  I  hurried  my  meal,  and 
was  paying  my  score,  when  I  caught  sight  of  my  own 
face  in  a  dusty-looking  and  dust-covered  glass  near 
the  bar,  and  saw  that  I  too  had  become  covei-ed  with 
it,  my  entire  person  being  literally  encrusted  with  a 
coat  of  powder,  from  which  I  experienced  considerable 
difficulty  in  cleansing  myself. 

"  Notwithstanding  all  I  had  seen  of  San  Francisco, 
there  yet  existed  here  a  world  apart,  that  I  should 
never  have  dreamed  of,  but  for  my  being  one  day 
called  upon  to  act  upon  a  jury  appointed  to  sit  in 
inquest  over  a  person  who  had  died  there.  This  place 
was  called  the  'Happy  Valley.' 

"Previously  to  our  repairing  thither,  we  attended 
at  the  court-house,  to  take  the  usual  oath.  Proceed- 
ing then  through  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  we 
reached  the  beach,  along  which,  by  the  water-side,  we 
walked  for  a  distance  of  three  miles — up  to  our  ancles 
in  mud  and  sand — until  we  came  to  a  spot  where  there 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  108 

were  innumerable  tents  pitched,  of  all  sizes,  forms,  and 
descriptions,  forming  an  irregular  line  stretching  along 
the  shore  for  ahout  two  miles. 

"  The  ground  was,  of  course,  low,  damp,  and  muddy ; 
and  the  most  unmistakeable  evidences  of  discomfort, 
misery,  and  sickness,  met  our  view  on  every  side,  for 
the  locality  was  one  of  the  unwholesomest  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  town.  Yet  here,  to  avoid  the  payment 
of  enormous  ground-rents,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
combine  the  advantage  of  cheap  living,  were  encamped 
the  major  portion  of  the  most  recently  arrived  emi- 
grants, and,  amongst  the  rest,  those  of  the  ship 
Brooklyn,  on  one  of  the  passengers  of  which  the  in- 
quest was  about  to  be  held. 

"  This,  then,  was  the  *  Happy  Valley ;'  a  term  no 
doubt  applied  to  it  in  derision,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  squalor,  the  discomfort,  the  filth,  the  misery, 
and  the  distress  that  were  rife  there. 

"  I  am  satisfied  that  much  of  the  crime  and  lawless- 
ness  that  is  prevalent  in  California — particularly  in 
towns  like  San  Francisco,  where  the  ruder  sex  are 
congregated  exclusively  and  in  large  multitudes — is 
attributable  to  the  want  of  the  humanizing  presence  of 
women.  In  San  Francisco  there  were  about  ten 
thousand  males,  and  scarcely  a  hundred  females  ;  for, 
although  in  many  parts  of  California  the  latter  out- 
number the  former,  the  national  prejudice  against 
color  was  too  strong  for  legitimate  amalgamation  to 
take  place." 

Such  was  San  Francisco  soon  after  the  discovery 
of  the  riches  of  the  Sacramento  region.  From  an 
insignificant  settlement,  sometimes  the  resort  of 
whaling-vessels,  and  of  a  few  traders,  it  was  quickly 
transferred  into  a  city,  with  an  extensive  and  con- 
F 


104  2TB1V»T    OP    CALIFORNIA. 

gtantly  Increasing  commerce.  In  its  streets  and 
squares,  erected  where,  just  before,  was  a  desert 
plain,  people  of  almost  every  nation  were  seen  busily 
engaged  in  traffic,  or  preparing  for  departure  to  the 
gold  region.  It  seemed  the  work  of  the  enchanter. 

Although,  like  San  Francisco,  Monterey  was  almost 
deserted  by  its  inhabitants  upon  the  receipt  of  informa- 
tion of  the  gold  discovery,  it  soon  began  to  give  signs 
of  improvement.  The  bay,  upon  the  shore  of  which 
the  town  is  located,  is  more  exposed  to  the  swell  of 
the  sea,  and  to  the  north-west  storms,  than  the  Bay  of 
San  Francisco,  and  therefore  the  harbor  is  inferior. 
Yet  Monterey  received  a  considerable  share  of  the  tide 
of  emigration.  Those  who  stopped  there  were  gener 
ally  persons  who  intended  to  make  a  permanent 
settlement,  and  engage  in  mercantile  pursuits ;  and, 
therefore,  though  the  increase  of  the  town  was  not  so 
rapid  as  that  of  San  Francisco,  it  carried  with  it  more 
denotements  of  stability. 

The  town  is  situated  on  a  short  bend  near  the  en- 
trance of  the  bay,  upon  its  southern  side.  The  point 
of  land  which  partly  protects  its  harbor  from  the  sea 
is  called  Point  Pinos.  A  very  neat  and  pretty  appear- 
ance is  presented  by  the  houses  of  the  native  Califor- 
nians,  which  are  generally  constructed  of  adobSs  and 
white-plastered.  Those  of  the  Americans  are  easily 
distinguished  by  their  being  built  of  logs  and  planks, 
and  presenting  a  more  substantial,  but  rougher  appear- 
ance. The  town  is  surrounded  by  hills,  covered  with 
lofty  pine  trees.  Upon  a  height  which  overlooks  the 
town  and  harbor,  a  fort  was  built  by  the  Americans 
during  the  war  with  Mexico,  and  a  military  force  con- 
tinued there  till  after  the  treaty  of  peace. 

The  country  in  the  neighborhood  of  Monterey  is 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  .  105 

fertile,  and  yields  ample  reward  to  the  agriculturist. 
There  would,  therefore,  be  no  lack  of  supplies  of  pro- 
visions, but  for  the  indolence  of  the  Californians, 
owning  the  different  ranches  in  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. From  this  cause,  great  scarcity  of  provisions  of 
all  kinds  is  often  the  result.  Notwithstanding  the 
additions  made  by  Yankee  enterprise  and  innovation, 
the  general  manners  and  customs  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Monterey  retain  all  their  old  Spanish  character ; 
and  some  of  the  customs  of  the  natives,  particularly 
their  amusements,  are  heartily  joined  in  by  the  more 
susceptible  of  the  new-comers.  The  fandango  and 
the  serenade  with  the  guitar,  still  hold  their  sway  as 
freely  and  as  undisturbed  as  in  old  Spain,  The  win- 
ters are  severely  felt  here.  The  rain  causes  torrents 
of  water  to  pour  down  from  the  hills  in  the  rear  of  the 
town,  deluging  the  principal  streets,  and  rendering 
their  passage  almost  impossible.  During  this  period, 
the  only  resort  of  the  inhabitants  for  passing  away  the 
time  is  the  vice  of  gambling,  in  which  they  early 
become  adepts.  This  gambling  propensity,  noticed 
among  the  Californians,  induced  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  the  initiated  to  emigrate  from  the  United  States, 
and  Monterey  received  a  goodly  proportion  of  them. 
Such  an  increase  of  the  population,  however,  could 
not  be  considered  desirable.  Upon  the  whole,  though 
in  a  less  degree,  the  effect  of  the  golden  attractions 
of  California  could  be  seen  at  Monterey  as  at  San 
Francisco,  Though  it  did  not  spring  at  once  from  a 
small  settlement  to  a  large  city,  it  was  considerably 
improved,  and  in  1849,  it  numbered  more  than  a 
thousand  inhabitants. 

A  short  distance  south  of  Monterey,  is  the  town  of 
Santa  Barbara.     Its  situation   is   one  of  the  moat 


106  HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

beautiful  in  California.  It  is  built  upon  a  plain  ten 
miles  in  extent.  In  front  is  a  broad  bay,  having  a 
smooth  beach  of  nearly  thirty  miles  in  extent.  On 
the  right,  towards  the  water,  is  a  lofty  eminence  rising 
nearly  a  thousand  feet.  Directly  back  of  the  town  is 
a  range  of  almost  impassable  hills,  running  in  a  diago- 
nal direction.  There  is  no  harbor  in  the  bay,  and 
vessels  are  obliged  to  anchor  in  an  open  roadstead ; 
and  when  the  south-east  winds  prevail,  they  are  in 
constant  peril. 

The  progress  of  the  town  was  not  much  affected  by 
the  gold  mania.  But  though  it  offers  no  attractions 
for  mercantile  or  gold  digging  purposes,  it  has  others 
which  will,  no  doubt,  make  it  a  favorite  place  of  resi- 
dence. In  1849,  it  contained  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  houses,  built  of  adobes,  and  all  one  story  in  height. 
The  town  is  celebrated  for  being  the  residence  of  the 
aristocracy  of  California,  and  for  its  beautiful  women. 
Its  inhabitants  are  principally  rancheros,  who  visit 
their  ranches  two  or  three  times  in  a  year  to  see  to 
the  marking  and  killing  of  their  cattle,  and  then 
spend  the  remainder  of  the  year  in  the  town,  enjoying 
life  as  much  as  possible.  Indolence  is  the  general 
vice.  A  horse  to  ride,  plenty  to  eat,  and  cigaros  to 
smoke  constitute  their  summum  bonum.  Santa 
Barbara  is  more  celebrated  for  its  fandangos  than 
Any  other  town  on  the  coast.  These  are  open  to  all 
comers,  and  constitute  the  general  pastime  of  an  even- 
ing. The  climate  is  mild  and  spring-like,  and,  inde- 
pendent of  the  attractions  in  the  town,  the  surrounding 
country  offers  many  of  the  most  beautiful  rides  in 
California.  About  a  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  at 
the  top  of  a  gentle  slope,  is  the  mission  of  Santa 
Barbara,  with  its  old,  white  walls  and  cross-mounted 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA  107 

ipires.  The  presiding  priest  of  California  resides 
there,  and  a  number  of  the  converted  Indians  still 
remain  and  cultivate  the  surrounding  soil.  The  mis- 
sion is  in  a  better  condition  than  any  other  in  the 
country. 

Oiudad  de  los  Angeles,  or  the  City  of  the  Angels, 
is  situated  a  hundred  and  ten  miles  south  of  Santa 
Barbara,  at  the  end  of  an  immense  plain,  extending 
from  the  city  twenty-five  miles,  to  San  Pedro,  its  port. 
This  is  the  garden  spot  of  California.  Before  the 
discovery  of  the  gold  mines,  the  City  of  the  Angels 
was  the  largest  town  in  the  country.  It  contains  about 
two  thousand  inhabitants,  most  of  whom  are  wealthy 
rancheros,  who  dwell  there  to  cultivate  the  grape.  As 
m  all  the  towns  of  California,  the  houses  are  con- 
structed of  adobes  and  covered  with  asphaltum,  which 
is  found  in  great  quantities  near  the  town.  The 
northern  section  is  laid  out  in  streets,  and  is  occupied 
by  the  trading  citizens  ;  the  southern  section  is  made 
up  of  gardens,  vinyards  and  orchards,  which  are  made 
extremely  productive  by  irrigating  the  soil  with  the 
water  of  a  large  stream  running  through  them.  Many 
acres  of  ground  are  covered  with  vines,  which,  being 
trimmed  every  year,  are  kept  about  six  feet  in  height. 
In  the  fall  of  the  year,  these  vines  are  burdened  with 
rich  clusters  of  grapes  ;  and,  in  addition  to  these, 
great  quantities  of  fruit  of  various  kinds  are  raised. 
The  surrounding  country  abounds  with  game  of  all 
kinds.  IL  ;he  rainy  season,  millions  of  ducks  and 
geese  cover  the  plains  between  Los  Angeles  and  San 
Pedro,  while  the  neighboring  hills  abound  with  quails, 
leer,  elk,  and  antelope.  The  vineyards  produce  such 
quantities  of  grapes,  that  many  thousand  barrels  of 
wine  and  aguardiente — the  brandy  of  the  country — 


108  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

are  annually  manufactured.  The  wine  is  of  varioul 
kinds ;  some  of  it  being  eqiml  to  the  best  produced  in 
Europe. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  City  of  the  Angels,  b«ing 
generally  of  the  wealthy  class  of  Californians,  have 
always  strongly  adhered  to  the  institutions  of  Mexico. 
They  offered  the  most  strenuous  resistance  to  the 
American  forces  at  the  time  of  the  conquest  of  Cali- 
fornia, but  were  vanquished  in  two  battles,  and  the 
city  taken.  All  the  customs  and  amusements  peculiar 
to  the  Spaniards  and  the  countries  which  they  colo- 
nized, are  here  in  full  vogue.  Music,  dancing,  sing- 
ing, slaughtering  cattle,  or  gambling,  are  the  usual 
pastimes  of  the  inhabitants.  Yet,  with  these  trifling 
^eeupations,  attachment  to  the  Roman  Catholic  church 
and  a  careful  observance  of  its  ceremonies,  is  charac- 
teristic af  all.  ~^Tpon  the  tolling  of  the  bell,  gaming, 
eweariHg,  dancing — every  thing  is  stopped  while  the 
prescribed  prayer  is  muttered,  and  then  all  go  on  as 
before. 

Though  Los  Ang«les  did  not  experience  any  increase 
o£  population  consequent  upon  the  flood  of  emigration 
to  California,  its  delightful  climate  and  its  fertile  soil 
are  gr astaally  procuring  it  such  consideration  as  will 
doubtless  lead  to  ifce  filling  up  of  the  surrounding 
country. 

San  JHcgo  is  the  most  southern  tewn  of  Upper 
California.  It  is  situated  ,on  the  coast,  three  miles 
aorth  of  the  line  separating  Upper  and  Lower  Califtr- 
aia.  The  harbor  is  inferior  oaly  to  that  of  San  Fran- 
moo.  It  is  perfectly  sheltered  by  land  from  the  gales 
»t  all  seasons  of  the  year.  Vessels  can  lie  within  a 
cable's  leqgfch  of  the  beach,  there  being  no  surf  run- 
ning upon  it.  The  town  is  situated  about  three 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  10$ 

from  the  beach,  and  is  about  the  same  sisse  as  Sanata 
Barbara.  It  is  a  place  of  far  greater  facilities  and 
promise,  however,  than  the  last  mentioned  town..  San 
Diego  has  always  been  the  most  important  depot  fcr 
hides,  upon  the  coast ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  an 
extensive  inland  trade  will  be  carried  on.  between  it 
and  the  towns  in  the  interior,  as  the  region  of  the 
Colorado  and  the  Gila  becomes  settled.  Since  the 
conquest  of  Upper  California  and  the  discovery  of  the 
gold,  the  progress  of  the  town  has  been  rapid.  From 
being  an  inconsiderable  settlement  sustained  princi- 
pally by  a  mission,  which  had  early  been  established 
there,  it  Ijas  become  a  town  of  great  cemmeraal 
promise.  T^e  climate  being  mijd  and  pleasant,  and 
the  surrounding  country  abounding  in  gasae  and 
adapted  for  grazing,  thus  making  provisions  abundant, 
San  Diego  is  a  very  desirable  place  of  raeidente. 

The  town  of  San  Jose"  is  situated  in  a  fertile  valley, 
near  the  moat  southern  extremity  of  the  Bay  of  San 
Francisco.  On  the  south  of  the  totrn  runs  a  small 
stream,  and  tl^e  place  is  surrounded  by  plains,  afford- 
ing fine  pasturage.  Being  situated  on  the  direct 
route  from  the  southern  ports  to  the  gojd  mines,  San 
Jose"  received  a  considerable  stimulus  from  their  dis- 
covery. A  profitable  trade  was  soon  established;  and 
the  town  improved  very  rapidly.  It  is  now  a  town  df 
about  four  thousand  inhabitants,  and  the  increase  still 
continues  rapid.  In  a  greater  degree  than  any  ef  the 
older  towns  of  California,  it  has  all  the  evidence  of  a 
thriving  and  progressive  place.  The  greater  part  of 
the  buildings  are  constructed  in  a  style  wfyoh 
the  inroads  of  the  taste  of  the  people  £rom  the 
States.  A  number  of  Mormons  settled  he*e  at  an 
early  period,  and  buftt  a  great  -many  neat 


110  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

houses  and  cottages,  which  contrast  favorably  witK 
the  heavy  old  adobes  residences  of  the  native  inhabit- 
ants. Flour  and  saw-mills  have  been  erected, 
but  the  scarcity  of  water  is  severely  felt  by  their  pro- 
prietors. 

San  Jose"  in  respect  to  climate  and  general  abun- 
dance of  the  necessaries  and  luxuries  of  life,  is  one 
of  the  most  desirable  places  of  residence  in  California. 
Though  situated  a  short  distance  inland,  and  thus 
deprived  of  the  facilities  which  contributed  to  the 
rapid  growth  of  San  Francisco,  the  fertile  plain  sur- 
rounding it,  and  the  increase  of  the  inland  trade  and 
travel  will  draw  to  the  town  and  its  neighborhood  a 
thriving,  business  population.  The  old  mission  of 
San  Jose"  is  situated  about  ten  miles  from  the  town. 
The  establishment  and  the  grounds  belonging  to  it  are 
in  a  state  of  decay.  The  population  there  is  about 
three  hundred  in  number,  most  of  whom  are  Indians, 
and  all  of  them  in  a  degraded  condition. 

The  emigration  to  the  gold  region  caused  many 
towns  to  spring  up,  as  if  by  magic,  in  its  neighborhood, 
and  on  the  route  to  it  from  San  Francisco.  These 
were  principally  the  stopping  places  of  the  gold-seekers, 
or  the  seat  of  a  trade  in  provisions  and  articles  manu- 
factured in  the  States  and  transported  thither.  Some 
of  these  towns  have  become  of  a  size  sufficient  to  war- 
rant the  assertion  that  they  will  soon  rival  the  cities 
of  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  United  States.  The  pro- 
gress of  these  places  is  aided  by  the  enormous  price 
of  real  estate  in  San  Francisco. 

One  of  the  most  promising  of  {he  new  towns  is  called 
Benicia.  It  is  situated  on  the  Strait  of  Carquinez, 
thirty-five  miles  north  of  San  Francisco.  The  strait 
forms  the  entrance  of  Suisan  into  Pablo  Bay.  Th« 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  Ill 

site  of  Benicia  is  a  gentle  slope,  which,  descending  to 
the  water,  becomes  almost  a  plain.  Vessels  of  the 
first  class  can  lie  at  anchor  at  its  bank,  and  discharge 
their  cargoes,  and  the  harbor  is  safe  from  violent 
winds.  The  town  has  been  made  the  head-quarters  of  the 
Pacific  division  of  the  United  States  army,  and  a  site 
for  a  navy-yard  has  been  selected  by  Commodore  Jones. 
The  marks  of  governmental  favor  show  in  what  estima- 
tion the  position  of  Benicia  is  held.  The  town  was 
laid  out  in  1848,  by  Robert  Semple  and  Thomas  0. 
Larkin.  Early  in  1850,  lots  were  selling  at  very  high 
rates,  and  the  population  numbered  more  than  a 
thousand  persons. 

Between  Benicia  and  Sacramento  city,  several  towns 
have  been  laid  out,  all  in  very  favorable  positions. 
The  principal  are — Martinez,  on  the  southern  shore  of 
the  strait  of  Carquinez,  nearly  opposite  Benicia ;  New 
York  of  the  Pacific,  at  the  junction  of  the  River  San 
Joaquin  with  the  Bay  of  Suisan;  Suisan,  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Sacramento,  at  a  distance  of  eighty  miles 
from  San  Francisco. 

Next  to  San  Francisco,  Sacramento  is  the  largest 
city  in  California.  It  is  situated  on  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  Sacramento  River,  one  hundred  miles  from  San 
Francisco,  and  sixty-five  from  Suisan  Bay.  It  is 
located  on  a  beautiful  plain,  which  is  not  elevated  more 
than  ten  or  twelve  feet  above  the  river  at  low  water. 
This  being  insufficient  to  protect  it  from  the  rise  of 
the  waters  of  the  river,  several  disastrous  floods  have 
occurred  during  the  existence  of  the  city.  Up  to  this 
point,  the  river  is  navigable  for  large  class  steamers. 
Ships  drawing  not  more  than  twelve  feet  of  water  may 
go  up  that  far  at  all  seasons ;  and,  besides  these 

commercial   advantages,    Sacramento   is  the  natural 
9      &  F* 


112  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

trading  depot  for  the  richest  portion  of  the  mining 
regions. 

Where  the  city  of  Sacramento  now  stands,  at  the 
time  of  the  gold  discovery,  there  stood,  "  solitary  and 
alone,"  a  small  fort.  This  formed  the  nucleus,  about 
which,  at  the  commencement  of  the  rush  of  emigra- 
tion, the  town  soon  sprang  icrto  existence.  Its  increase 
has  been  almost  as  rapid  as  that  of  San  Francisco. 
During  the  rainy  season  of  the  early  part  of  1850, 
the  population  numbered  somewhere  between  twenty 
and  thirty  thousand.  But 'at  that  poriod,  a  consider- 
able portion  of  the  gold-diggers  made  Sacramento  and 
the  other  towns  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  mines, 
their  resort,  to  escape  the  severity  of  spending  the 
season  at  the  open  and  exposed  valleys  of  the  gold 
region.  The  city  is  regularly  laid  out,  but  its  appear 
ance  evidences  the  rapidity  of  its  erection.  The 
greater  nitober  of  the  houses  and  stores  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  river  are  constructed  of  wood,  while 
the  outskirts,  particularly  upon  the  south,  are  occupied 
by  the  tents  of  the  constantly-arriving  overland  emi- 
grants. Before  the  commencement  of  the  last  rainy 
season,  the  number  of  these  emigrants  reached  two  or 
three  thousand.  They  squatted  upon  the  vacant  lots 
which  had  been  surveyed  and  sold  to  Other  persons,. 
This  caused  a  considerable  agitation  in  the  town,  which 
continued  till  the  disastrous  flood  swep*-both  the  par- 
ties off  the  ground,  and  thus  left  the  field  clear  for 
another  commencement.  Sacramento  is  the  grand 
receptacle  of  the  overland  emigration,  and  this,  com- 
bined with  its  commercial  facilities,  will  continue  to 
give  the  city  a  superiority  over  the  majority  of  ftie 
other  places  in  California. 

Adjoining  Sacramento  city,  is  the  town  of  gutter 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  118 

It  is  situated  on  the  highest  and  healthiest  ground  on 
the  river.  It  is  not,  like  Sacramento,  subject  to  an 
annual  overflow.  The  town  was  originally  laid  out 
by  Captain  Sutter  and  others;  and  is  owned  by  Hon. 
John  McDougall,  Lieutenant-Governor  of  California, 
imd  Captain  Sutter.  It  has  a  thriving  business  popula- 
tion, and  its  position,  and  the  fertility  of  the  neigh- 
boring country  will  soon  make  it  a  place  of  import- 
ance. 

Stockton  is  to  the  southern  portion  of  the  gold 
region  what  Sacramento  is  to  the  northern.  It  is 
situated  upon  a  slough,  or  a  succession  of  sloughs,  con- 
taining the  back  waters  formed  by  the  junction  of  the 
San  Joaquin  and  Saeramento  Rivers.  It  is  about 
fifty  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  San  Joaquin,  aad 
one  hundred  from  San  Francisco.  The  ground  upon 
which  it  is  situated  is  high  and  is  not  subject  to  over- 
flow. Vessels  drawing  nine  feet  water  can  ascend  the 
San  Joaquin  as  far  as  Stockton,  and  discharge  their 
cargoes  on  the  bank.  In  the  latter  part  of  1848,  the 
town  was  laid  out  and  a  frame  building  erected  by 
Charles  M.  Weber.  In  eight  months  from  that  time, 
it  contained  a  population  of  about  two  thousand  per- 
manent residents,  and  a  large  number  of  temporary 
residents,  on  their  road  to  the  mines.  Communication 
is  with  San  Francisco  by  means  of  steamboats  and 
launches,  and  the  commerce  of  the  town  is  constantly 
increasing. 

Other  towns  exist — on  papei — in  the  neighborhood 
of  San  Francisco  and  the  gold  region,  and,  doubtless, 
they  will,  in  the  course  of  time,  become  settled  by  a 
thriving,  go-ahead  population  from  the  Atlantic  States. 
Land  speculation  in  California  is  as  profitable  a 
business  as  gold-digging — and  less  toilsome.  Many  of 


114  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

the  shrewd  ones,  who  early  took  advantage  of  this 
"  tide  in  the  affairs  of  men,"  have  already  reached  the 
goal  of  their  hopes,  an  independent  fortune.  Those 
who  saw  how  things  would  turn  out,  and  purchased 
land  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  region  which  promised 
to  receive  the  principal  current  of  the  emigration  to 
California,  found  themselves  wealthy  in  the  short 
space  of  a  few  months. 

The  great  influx  of  emigrants  to  Upper  California 
has  brought  the  subject  of  the  settlement  of  the  penin- 
sula into  consideration.  There  is  but  little  doubt  that 
Lower  California  will,  sooner  or  later,  become  the 
property  of  the  United  States,  and  then  its  settlement 
and  progress  will  be  rapid.  The  coast  upon  the  gulf 
affords  many  excellent  harbors,  and  the  mountainous 
region  of  the  interior  gives  abundant  evidence  of 
mineral  wealth,  as  far  as  it  has  been  explored.  Several 
silver  mines  have  been  opened  in  different  places,  the 
principal  of  which  are  at  San  Antonio,  between  La 
Paz  and  Cape  San  Lucas.  Near  Loretto,  the  first 
settlement  in  California,  extensive  copper  mines  have 
been  opened,  and  lead  and  iron  abound  in  all  direc- 
tions. The  pearl  fishery  of  the  gulf  has  already 
yielded  an  enormous  wealth,  having  been  prosecuted 
from  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  the  peninsula.  The 
fishing  season  lasts  from  May  till  November,  and 
more  than  a  hundred  vessels  are  yearly  engaged  in 
the  business.  These  resources,  despite  the  general 
unfitness  of  the  country  for  agricultural  purposes,  will 
soon  attract  their  full  share  of  consideration,  and 
cause  an  influx  of  emigrants  and  adventurers  from  the 
United  States  and  other  countries.  Some  portions 
of  the  country  are  susceptible  of  irrigation,  and 
might  thus  be  rendered  fit  for  cultivation. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  115 

The  principal  port  of  Lower  California  is  La  Paz, 
situated  near  the  mouth  of  the  gulf.  The  bay  on  the 
shore  of  which  the  town  is  located,  is  of  great  extent 
and  beauty,  and  possesses  a  large  number  of  rich 
pearl  oyster-beds — the  pearl  fishery  having  at  one 
time  supplied  the  chief  article  of  traffic  on  this  part 
of  the  coast.  The  country  around  the  bay  is  elevated 
and  picturesque,  though  rugged ;  the  soil  being  com- 
posed principally  of  rock  and  sand,  wildly  and  irre- 
gularly covered  with  the  most  prickly  species  of 
stunted  bushes  and  shrubs  of  sunburnt  hue.  The 
town  of  La  Paz  is  neatly  built  and  presents  a  pretty 
appearance.  The  streets  are  lined  with  willow  trees, 
and  these  meeting  overhead,  form  a  delicious  shade 
during  the  heat  of  the  day.  The  houses  are  all  con- 
structed of  adobes,  plastered  white,  and  thatched  with 
the  leaves  of  the  palm  tree.  The  beach  is  lined  with 
palms,  cocoa-nut,  fig  and  tamarind  trees.  La  Paz 
was  taken  by  the  American  volunteers  during  the 
war  with  Mexico,  and  considerable  destruction  of  the 
orchards,  gardens  and  houses  of  the  town  was  the 
consequence.  The  harbor  offers  great  advantages  for 
a  naval  station,  and  such,  doubtless,  it  will  become. 

San  Jose*,  the  most  southern  town  of  Lower  Cali- 
fornia, is  situated  about  half-way  between  Cape  San 
Lucas  and  Cape  Palmo,  on  a  sort  of  desert  plain, 
extending  from  the  beautiful  valley  of  San  Jose'  to  the 
ocean.  It  is  located  about  three  miles  from  the  beach, 
and  is  one  of  the  strangest  creations  in  the  shape  of  a 
tov?n  imaginable. 

The  heavy  rains  and  freshets  which  occur  in  the 
wet  season,  in  this  region,  render  every  elevation  in- 
valuable as  a  preservative  against  the  dangers  of  sud- 
den inundations ;  hence  all  the  houses  are  built  upos 


116  HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

Steeps,  rocks,  and  hillocks,  necessarily  irrespective  of 
order ;  so  that,  even  in  the  most  densely  populated 
districts,  barren  hills,  as  yet  unoccupied  by  dwellings, 
are  frequently  to  be  met  with,  with  deep  hollows  in 
every  part,  converting  mere  visits  into  positive  enter- 
prises, in  most  instances  both  tedious  and  disagreeable. 
To  these  great  natural  disadvantages,  the  indolence 
of  the  inhabitants  has  added  others,  their  common 
practice  being  to  dig  for  adobe  clay  at  the  nearest 
convenient  spot,  namely,  for  the  most  part,  opposite 
their  own  doors ;  thus,  one  would  imagine  that  the 
site  of  the  whole  town  had  been  visited  and  disturbed 
by  a  succession  of  miniature  earthquakes,  which,  whilst 
they  had  left  the  houses  themselves  unshaken,  had 
heaved  and  perched  them  up  in  the  most  uncomfort- 
able positions,  and  in  the  most  inaccessible  places.  In 
the  very  centre  of  the  principal  street,  which  appears 
to  have  once  upon  a  time  been  level,  are  three  or  four 
jmmense  clay-pits,  serving  as  a  receptacle  for  dead 
dogs,  cats,  bones,  vegetable  refuse,  and,  in  a  word, 
every  description  of  rubbish  and  nuisance  a  very  dirty 
population  can  convey  to  or  discharge  in  them. 

But  a  description  of  the  town  would  be  incomplete 
without  adding  that  it  is  dotted  about  in  these  hollows, 
and  in  the  sand-holes  in  the  rocks,  with  patches  of 
thorn,  brush,  and  cacti,  forming  a  singular  yet  refresh- 
ing contrast  with  the  general  barrenness  of  the  region 
itself,  the  whole  being  surrounded  by  a  bleak  moun- 
tainous range,  which  increases  in  elevation  until  it 
blends  with  the  clear  sky,  far  in  the  distance. 

The  principal,  indeed  the  only  regular  street  in 
the  town,  is  wide  and  long,  the  houses  being  con- 
structed of  adobes  and  cane,  thatched  with  palm  leaves. 
It  is  blocked  up  at  the  remoter  end  by  the  fort,  which 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  117 

stands  upon  a  wide  foundation  of  rock  of  considerable 
elevation ;  various  portions  of  the  adobt  walls  con- 
necting the  crags  having  been  pierced,  so  as  to  allow 
artillery  to  be  trained  through  the  embrasures,  whilst, 
in  other  parts,  there  are  numerous  loop-holes  for 
musketry.  There  are  some  very  awkward  cavities 
amongst  these  rocks,  produced  by  digging  for  clay  for 
the  adobS  work.  The  fort  is  flat-roofed  and  para- 
petted,  having  portholes  for  cannon ;  and  below,  in 
the  very  centre  of  the  building,  occupying  about  a  third 
of  its  entire  length,  runs  a  thick  wall,  forming  a  cres- 
cent, well  mounted  with  heavy  guns.  At  the  end  of 
this  crescent,  between  it  and  the  front  wall,  is  the 
entrance  to  the  fort — a  mere  aperture,  barely  wide 
enough  to  allow  of  one  man's  passing  in. 

These  defences  proved  to  be  of  great  advantage  to 
a  small  party  of  Americans  that  landed  at  San  Jose', 
during  the  war  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico, 
and  were  compelled  to  take  shelter  in  the  old  quartel, 
or  barracks.  There  they  were  surrounded  by  the 
Californians,  and  stood  a  siege  of  several  weeks', 
suffering  incredible  hardships.  The  population  of  San 
Jose'  numbers  about  three  thousand,  the  majority  being 
semi-Indians,  or  the  pure  descendants  of  the  Mexicans. 
There  is  little  promise  of  any  considerable  increase  in 
jhe  size  of  the  town,  owing  to  the  natural  disadvan- 
tages of  situation. 

The  other  towns  of  Lower  California  are — San 
Antonio,  in  the  neighborhood  of  an  extensive  silver 
mine,  which  has  been  worked  for  a  long  time  with 
considerable  profit ;  Loreto,  on  the  gulf  coast,  about " 
two  hundred  miles  north  of  La  Paz ;  San  Domingo 
and  Todos  Santos,  on  the  Pacific  coast.  The  latter 
town  is  situated  on  the  bay  of  the  same  name,  and  ig 


118  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

the  most  northerly  part  of  Lower  California.  The 
church  and  mission  buildings  at  this  place  are  the 
largest  and  most  imposing  structures  of  the  kind  in 
Lower  California.  The  church  has  a  handsome  front 
and  a  lofty  steeple.  The  mission  is  the  residence  of 
the  head  of  the  church  in  Lower  California.  There 
is  every  reason  to  believe,  that,  when  the  richer  por- 
tions of  Upper  California  begin  to  get  a  little  crowded, 
the  tide  of  emigration  will  be  turned  to  the  south,  and 
the  ports  of  the  peninsula  will  become  of  great  com- 
mercial importance.  Then,  if  not  before,  the  country 
"will  become  the  property  of  the  United  States,  either 
by  way  of  purchase,  or  after  the  manner  of  Texas. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

THE   FORMATION   OF  A   STATE   GOVERNMENT. 

THE  state  of  things  which  induced  the  people  of 
California  to  form  a  state  government  deserves  to  be 
fully  set  forth.  Their  condition  was  without  prece- 
dent in  history ;  and  from  a  statement  of  that  condi- 
tion, it  will  be  seen  that  the  framing  of  a  constitution 
and  the  organization  of  a  state  government  was  the 
only  resource  of  the  Californians.  The  representations 
of  the  report  of  Thomas  Butler  King  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  will  not  be  contradicted, 
and  these  we  insert. 

"  The  discovery  of  the  gold  mines  had  attracted  a 
very  large  number  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  to 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  119 

to  that  territory,  who  had  never  been  accustomed  to 
any  other  than  American  law,  administered  by  Ameri- 
can courts.  There  they  found  their  rights  of  property 
and  person  subject  to  the  uncertain,  and  frequently 
most  oppressive,  operation  of  laws  written  in  a  lan- 
guage they  did  not  understand,  and  founded  on  prin- 
ciples, in  many  respects,  new  to  them.  They  complained 
that  the  alcaldes,  or  judges,  most  of  whom  had  been 
appointed  or  elected  before  the  immigration  had  com- 
menced, were  not  lawyers  by  education  or  profession ; 
and,  being  Americans,  they  were,  of  course,  unac- 
quainted with  the  laws  of  Mexico,  or  the  principles  of 
the  civil  law  on  which  they  are  founded. 

"As  our  own  laws,  except  for  the  collection  of 
revenue,  the  transmission  of  the  mails,  and  establish- 
ment of  postoffices,  had  not  been  extended  over  that 
territory,  the  laws  of  Mexico,  as  they  existed  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  regu- 
lating the  relations  of  the  inhabitants  of  California 
with  each  other,  necessarily  remained  in  force  ;*  yet, 
there  was  not  a  single  volume  containing  those  laws, 
as  far  as  I  know  or  believe,  in  the  whole  territory, 
except,  perhaps,  in  the  governor's  office  at  Monterey. 

"  The  magistrates,  therefore,  could  not  procure 
them,  and  the  administration  of  justice  was,  neces- 
sarily, as  unequal  and  fluctuating  as  the  opinions  of 
the  judges  were  conflicting  and  variable. 

"  There  were  no  fee-bills  to  regulate  costs ;  and, 
consequently,  the  most  cruel  exactions,  in  many  in- 
stances, were  practised. 

"  The  greatest  confusion  prevailed  respecting  titles 
to  property,  and  the  decision  of  suits  involving  the 

•  See  American  Insurance  Company,  et  al.  vi,  CanUr,  lit  Peterf 
Supremo  Court  Reports,  542 


120  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

most  important  rights,  and  very  large  sums  of  monej 
depended  upon  the  dictum  of  the  judge. 

"  Tho  sale  of  the  territory  by  Mexico  to  the  United 
States  had  necessarily  cut  off  or  dissolved  the  laws 
regulating  the  granting  or  procuring  titles  to  land ; 
and,  as  our  own  land-laws  had  not  been  extended  over 
it,  the  people  were  compelled  to  receive  such  titles  as 
were  offered  to  them,  without  the  means  of  ascertain- 
ing whether  they  were  valid  or  not. 

"  Litigation  was  so  expensive  and  precarious  that 
injustice  and  oppression  were  frequently  endured, 
rather  than  resort  to  so  uncertain  a  remedy. 

"  Towns  and  cities  were  springing  into  existence  ; 
many  of  them  without  charters  or  any  legal  right  to 
organize  municipal  authorities,  or  to  tax  property  or 
the  citizens  for  the  establishment  of  a  police,  the 
erection  of  prisons,  or  providing  any  of  those  means 
for  the  protection  of  life  and  property  which  are  so 
necessary  in  all  civil  communities,  and  especially 
among  a  people  mostly  strangers  to  each  other. 

"  Nearly  one  million  and  a  half  of  dollars  had  been 
paid  into  the  custom-house,  as  duties  on  imported 
goods,  before  our  revenue  laws  had  been  extended  over 
the  country;  and  the  people  complained  bitterly  that 
they  were  thus  heavily  taxed  without  being  pro- 
vided with  a  government  for  their  protection,  or 
laws  which  they  could  understand,  or  allowed  the 
right  tc  be  represented  in  the  councils  of  the 
nation. 

"  While  anxiously  waiting  the  action  of  Congress, 
oppressed  and  embarrassed  by  this  state  of  affairs,  and 
feeling  the  pressing  necessity  of  applying  such  reme- 
dies as  were  in  their  power,  and  circumstances  seemed 
to  justify,  they  resolved  to  substitute  laws  of  their  own 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  121 

for  the  existing  system,  and  to  establish  tribunals  foi 
their  proper  and  faithful  administration. 

"  In  obedience,  therefore,  to  the  extraordinary 
exigencies  of  their  condition,  the  people  of  the  city  of 
San  Francisco  elected  members  to  form  a  legislature, 
and  clothed  them  with  full  powers  to  pass  laws. 

"  The  communities  of  Sonoma  and  of  Sacramento 
city  followed  the  example. 

"  Thus  were  three  legislative  bodies  organized ;  the 
two  most  distant  being  only  one  hundred  and  thirty 
miles  apart. 

"  Other  movements  of  the  kind  were  threatened, 
and  doubtless  would  have  followed,  in  other  sections 
of  the  territory,  had  they  not  been  arrested  by  the 
formation  of  a  State  government. 

"  While  the  people  of  California  were  looking  to 
Jongress  for  a  territorial  government,  it  was  quite 
evident  that  such  an  organization  was  daily  becoming 
less  suited  to  their  condition,  which  was  entirely  differ- 
ent from  that  of  any  of  the  territories  out  of  vhich 
the  new  States  of  the  Union  had  been  foiiac*^ 

"Those  territories  had  been  at  fir«4  tlowly  and 
uparsely  peopled  by  a  few  hunters  anJ  farmers,  who 
penetrated  the  wilderness,  or  traveled  the  prairies, 
m  search  of  game  or  a  new  ho«fc ;  and,  when  thus 
gradually  their  population  w«./"-anted  it,  a  government 
was  poyided  for  them.  ^b«:y,  however,  had  no  foreign 
eommerce,  nor  any  *.itii^  beyond  the  ordinary  pursuits 
jf  agriculture,  aud  the  various  branches  of  business 
which  usually  accompany  it,  to  induce  immigration 
within  their  borders.  Several  years  were  required  to 
give  them  sufficient  population  and  wealth  to  place 
them  in  a  condition  to  require,  or  enable  them  to  sup- 
port, a  State  government. 


122  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

"Not  BO  with  California.  The  discovery  of  tht 
vast  metallic  and  mineral  wealth  in  her  mountains  had 
already  attracted  to  her,  in  the  space  of  twelve  months, 
more  than  one  hundred  thousand  people.  An  exten- 
sive commerce  had  sprung  up  with  China,  the  ports  of 
Mexico  on  the  Pacific,  Chili,  and  Australia. 

"  Hundreds  of  vessels  from  the  Atlantic  ports  of 
the  Union,  freighted  with  our  manufactures  and 
agricultnral  products,  and  filled  with  our  fellow-citi- 
zens, had  arrived,  or  were  on  their  passage  round 
Cape  Horn ;  so  that,  in  the  month  of  June  last,  (1849) 
there  were  more  than  three  hundred  sea-going  vessels 
in  the  port  of  San  Francisco. 

"  California  has  a  border  on  the  Pacific  of  ten  de- 
grees of  latitude,  and  several  important  harbors  which 
have  never  been  surveyed;  nor  is  there  a  buoy,  a 
beacon,  a  lighthouse,  or  a  fortification,  on  the  whole 
coast. 

"  There  are  no  docks  for  the  repair  of  national  or 
mercantile  vessels  nearer  than  New  York,  a  distance 
of  some  twenty  thousand  miles  round  Cape  Horn. 

"  All  these  things,  together  with  the  proper  regula- 
tions for  the  gold  region,  the  quicksilver  mines,  the 
survey  and  disposition  f  -he  public  lands,  the  adjust- 
ment of  land  titles,  me  estaolishment  of  a  mint  and 
of  marine  hospitals,  required  the  immediate  formation 
of  a  more  perfect  civil  government  than  California 
then  had,  and  the  fostering  care  of  Congress  and  the 
Executive. 

"  California  had,  as  it  were  by  magic,  become  a 
State  of  great  wealth  and  power.  One  short  year 
had  given  her  a  commercial  importance  but  little 
inferior  to  that  of  the  most  powerful  of  the  old  States 
She  had  passed  her  minority  at  a  single  bound,  and 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  123 

might  justly  be  regarded  as  fully  entitled  to  take  her 
place  as  an  equal  among  her  sisters  of  the  Union. 

"  When,  therefore,  the  reality  became  known  to  the 
people  of  that  territory  that  the  government  had  done 
nothing  to  relieve  them  from  the  evils  and  embarrass- 
ments under  which  they  were  suffering,  and  seeing  no 
probability  of  any  change  on  the  subject  which  divided 
Congress,  they  adopted,  with  most  unexampled  una- 
nimity and  promptitude,  the  only  course  which  lay 
open  to  them — the  immediate  formation  of  a  Stato 
government. 

"  They  were  induced  to  take  this  step  not  only  for 
the  reason  that  it  promised  the  most  speedy  remedy 
for  present  difficulties,  but  because  the  great  and 
rapidly  growing  interests  of  the  territory  demanded 
it ;  and  all  reflecting  men  saw,  at  a  glance,  that  it 
ought  not  to  be  any  longer,  and  could  not,  under  any 
circumstances,  be  much  longer  postponed. 

"  They  not  only  considered  themselves  best  qualified, 
but  that  they  had  the  right  to  decide,  as  far  as  they 
were  concerned,  the  embarrassing  question  which  was 
shaking  the  Union  to  its  centre,  and  had  thus  far 
deprived  them  of  a  regularly  organized  civil  govern- 
ment. They  believed  that,  in  forming  a  constitution, 
they  had  a  right  to  establish  or  prohibit  slavery,  and 
that,  in  their  action  as  a  State,  they  would  be  sustained 
by  the  North  and  the  South. 

"  In  taking  this  step,  they  proceeded  with  all  the 
regularity  which  has  ever  characterized  the  American 
people  in  discharging  the  great  and  important  duties 
of  self-government. 

"  The  steamer  in  which  I  was  a  passenger  did  not 
stop  at  Monterey ;  I  therefore  did  not  see  General 
Riley,  nor  had  I  any  communication  with  him  unti' 
10  '  G 


124  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

about  the  middle  of  the  month,  when  he  came  to  Sab 
Francisco.  A  few  days  after  my  arrival,  his  procla- 
mation calling  a  Convention  to  form  a.  State  constitu- 
tion, dated  the  third  of  Jume,  was  received. 

"  The  people  acted  in  compliance  witfc  what  they 
believed  to  be  the  views  of  Congress,  and  conformably 
to  the  recommendations  of  the  proclamation ;  and  pro- 
ceeded, on  the  day  appointed,  to  elect  members  to  a 
Convention  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  constitution, 
to  be  regularly  submitted  to  the  people  for  their  ratifi- 
cation or  rejection,  and,  if  approved,  to  be  presented 
to  Congress,  with  a  prayer  for  the  admission  of  Cali- 
fornia, as  a  State,  into  the  Union," 

According  to  the  recommendation  of  General  Riley, 
the  civil  governor  of  California,  an  election  of  delegates 
to  form  a  Convention  was  held  on  the  1st  of  August, 
1849.  Tke  number  of  delegates  to  be  elected  was 
thirty-seven.  General  Riley,  General  Smith,  and 
Thomas  Butler  King,  used  every  means  to  stimulate 
the  people  to  hold  the  preparatory  meetings,  and  they 
were  generally  successful.  But  in  some  districts 
scarcely  any  move  was  made  until  a  few  days  before 
the  election.  In  one  or  two  instances,  the  election 
was  not  held  upon  the  day  appointed ;  but  the  Con- 
vention nevertheless  admitted  the  delegates  elected  in 
such  cases. 

The  Convention  was  to  meet  on  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber, at  Monterey  ;  but  it  did  not  get  regularly  organ- 
ized until  the  4th  of  that  month,  when  Dr.  Robefi 
Semple,  of  the  Sonoma  district,  was  chosen  president. 
The  proportion  of  the  native  Californian  members  to 
the  American  was  about  equal  to  that  of  the  popula 
tion.  Among  the  members  was  Captain  John  Sutter, 
the  pioneer  settler  of  California,  General  Valleja  and 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  L25 

Antonio  Pico,  who  had  both  been  distinguished  men 
in  California,  before  the  conquest  The  bod},  as  a 
whole,  commanded  respect,  as  being  dignified  and 
intellectual. 

The  Declaration  of  Rights  was  the  first  measure 
adopted  by  the  Convention.  Its  sections  being  general 
and  liberal  in  their  character,  were  nearly  all  adopted 
by  a  unanimous  vote.  The  clause  prohibiting  the 
existence  of  slavery  was  the  unanimous  sentimeat  of 
the  Convention.  The  Constitution  will  be  found  in 
another  part  of  this  work,  and  we  will  not  here  recapitu« 
late  its  provisions.  It  combines  the  best  features  of  the 
Constitutions  of  the  States  east  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  is  in  most  respects  similar  to  that  of  the 
State  of  New  York. 

The  most  exciting  questions  discussed  we^e,  a  clause 
prohibiting  the  entrance  of  free  people  of  color  into 
the  State,  the  boundary  line,  and  the  great  seal  of 
the  State.  The  first,  the  clause  prohibiting  the 
entrance  of  free  people  of  color  into  the  State, 
passed  first  reading,  but  was  subsequently  rejected 
by  a  large  majority.  The  question  of  suffrage  occa- 
sioned some  discussion,  widely  differing  opinions 
being  entertained  by  the  members.  An  article  was 
adopted  by  the  Convention,  excluding  Indians  and 
negroes,  with  their  descendants,  from  the  privilege  of 
voting ;  but  it  was  subsequently  modified  by  a  proviso, 
which  gave  the  Legislature  power  of  admitting  Indians, 
3r  the  descendants  of  Indians  to  the  right  of  suffrage 
by  a  two-thirds  concurrent  vote.  Under  this  provi- 
sion, some  of  the  most  wealthy  and  influential  Califor- 
nians  are  excluded  from  veting  until  permitted  by  th« 
Legislature. 

The  boundary  question,  which  came  up  towards  th« 


126  HISTOKY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

close  of  the  Convention,  was  the  most  exciting  theme 
The  point  of  dispute  was  the  eastern  boundary  line. 
The  Pacific  formed  the  natural  boundary  on  the  west ; 
the  parallel  of  42  degrees,  the  boundary  on  the  north, 
and  the  Mexican  line,  run  in  conformity  with  the 
treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  the  boundary  on  the 
south.  The  discussion,  reconsideration  and  voting 
upon  the  various  propositions  occupied  nearly  two 
days.  Finally,  the  line  detailed  in  the  Constitution 
was  adopted. 

The  discussion  upon  the  adoption  of  the  Great  Seal 
for  the  State  was  amusing.  Eight  or  ten  designs  were 
offered,  and  the  members  from  the  different  districts 
were  all  anxious  to  have  their  particular  district  repre- 
sented. The  choice  finally  fell  upon  one  offered  by  a 
Major  Garnett.  The  principal  figure  is  Minerva,  with 
spear  and  shield,  emblematic  of  the  manner  in  which 
California  was  born,  full-grown,  into  the  confederacy. 
At  her  feet  crouches  the  grizzly  bear.  Before  him  is 
the  wheat-sheaf  and  vine,  illustrating  the  agricultural 
products  of  the  country.  Near  them  is  the  miner, 
with  his  implements.  In  the  distance  is  the  Bay  of 
San  Francisco,  and  beyond  that,  the  Sierra  Nevada, 
over  which  appears  the  word-"  Eureka."  The  closing 
scenes  of  the  Convention  are  described  in  graphic  and 
vivid  colors  by  one  who  was  an  eye-witness  to  them, 
and  recorded  them  upon  the  spot.* 

"  The  members  met  this  morning  at  the  usual  hour, 
to  perform  the  last  duty  that  remained  to  them — that 
of  signing  the  Constitution.  They  were  all  in  the 
happiest  humor,  and  the  morning  was  so  bright  and 
balmy  that  no  one  seemed  disposed  to  call  an  organi 

•  Bayard  Taylor,  El  Dorado,  or  Adventures  in  the  Path  of  Empir* 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  12"/ 

• 

zation.  Mr.  Semple  was  sick,  and  Mr.  Steuart,  of 
San  Francisco,  therefore  called  the  meeting  to  order 
by  moving  Captain  Sutter's  appointment  in  his  place. 
The  chair  was  taken  by  the  old  pioneer,  and  the  mem- 
bers took  their  seats  around  the  sides  of  the  hall, 
which  still  retained  the  pine-trees  and  banners,  left 
"  from  last  night's  decorations.  The  windows  and  doors 
were  open,  and  a  delightful  breeze  came  in  from  the 
bay,  whose  blue  waters  sparkled  in  the  distance.  The 
view  from  the  balcony  in  front  was  bright  and  inspiring. 
The  town  below — the  shipping  in  the  harbor — the 
pine-covered  hills  behind — were  mellowed  by  the  blue 
October  haze,  but  there  was  no  cloud  in  the  sky,  and 
I  could  plainly  see,  on  the  northern  horizon,  the 
mountains  of  Santa  Cruz  and  the  Sierra  de  Gavilan. 

"After  the  minutes  had  been  read,  the  Committee 
appointed  to  draw  up  an  Address  to  the  people  of 
California,  was  called  upon  to  report,  and  Mr.  Steuart, 
Chairman,  read  the  Address.  Its  tone  and  sentiment 
met  with  universal  approval,  and  it  was  adopted  with- 
out a  dissenting  voice.  A  resolution  was  then  offered 
to  pay  Lieutenant  Hamilton,  who  is  now  engaged  in 
engrossing  the  Constitution  upon  parchment,  the  sum 
of  $5f  O  for  his  labor.  This  magnificent  price,  proba- 
bly the  highest  ever  paid  for  a  similar  service,  is  on  a 
par  with  all  things  else  in  California.  As  this  was 
their  last  session,  the  members  were  not  disposed  to 
find  fault  with  it,  especially  when  it  was  stated  by  one 
of  them  that  Lieutenant  Hamilton  had  written  day 
and  night  to  have  it  ready,  and  was  still  working 
upon  it,  though  with  a  lame  and  swollen  hand.  The 
sheet  for  the  signer's  names  was  ready,  and  the  Con- 
vention decided  to  adjourn  for  half  an  hour  and  then 
meet  for  the  purpose  of  signing. 


128  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

•'I  amused  myself  during  the  interval  by  walking 
about  the  town.  Every  body  knew  that  the  Conven- 
tion was  about  closing,  and  it  was  generally  under- 
stood that  Captain  Burton  had  loaded  the  guns  at  the 
fort,  and  would  fire  a  salute  of  thirty-one  guns  at  the 
proper  moment.  The  citizens,  therefore,  as  well  as 
the  members,  were  in  an  excited  mood.  Monterey 
never  before  looked  so  bright,  so  happy,  so  full  of 
pleasant  expectation. 

"  About  one  o'clock  the  Convention  met  again ;  few 
of  the  members,  indeed,  had  left  the  hall.  Mr.  Sem- 
ple,  though  in  feeble  health,  called  them  to  order,  and, 
after  having  voted  General  Riley  a  salary  of  §10,000, 
and  Mr.  Halleck,  Secretary  of  State,  $6000  a  year, 
from  the  commencement  of  their  respective  offices, 
they  proceeded  to  affix  their  names  to  the  completed 
Constitution.  At  this  moment  a  signal  was  given; 
the  American  colors  ran  up  the  flag-staff  in  front  of 
the  government  buildings,  and  streamed  out  on  the 
air.  A  second  afterward  the  first  gun  boomed  from 
the  fort,  and  its  stirring  echoes  came  back  from  one 
hill  after  another,  till  they  were  lost  in  the  distance. 

"All  th»~  native  enthusiasm  of  Captain  Sutter's 
Swiss  blood  was  aroused ;  he  was  the  old  soldier  again. 
He  sprang  from  his  seat,  and,  waving  his  hand  around 
his  head,  as  if  swinging  a  sword,  exclaimed  ;  '  Gentle- 
men, this  is  the  happiest  day  of  my  life.  It  makes 
me  glad  to  hear  those  cannon :  they  remind  me  of  the 
time  when  I  was  a  soldier.  Yes,  I  am  glad  to  heal 
them — this  is  a  great  day  for  California !'  Then, 
recollecting  himself,  he  sat  down,  the  tears  streaming 
from  his  eyes.  The  members  with  one  accord,  gave 
three  tumultuous  cheers,  which  were  heard  from  one 
end  of  the  town  to  the  other,  As  the  signing  went 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  129 

on,  gun  followed  gun  from  the  fort,  the  echoes  rever- 
berating grandly  around  the  bay,  till  finally,  as  the 
loud  ring  of  the  thirty-first  was  heard,  there  was  a 
shout :  «  That's  for  California !'  and  every  one  joined 
in  giving  three  times  three  for  the  new  star  added  to 
our  Confederation. 

"  There  was  one  handsome  act  I  must  not  omit  to 
mention.  The  captain  of  the  English  bark  Volunteer, 
of  Sidney,  Australia,  lying  in  the  harbor,  sent  on  shore 
in  the  morning  for  an  American  flag.  When  the  first 
gun  was  heard,  a  line  of  colors  ran  fluttering  up  to  the 
spars,  the  stars  and  stripes  flying  triumphantly  from 
the  main-top.  The  compliment  was  the  more  marked, 
as  some  of  the  American  vessels  neglected  to  give  any 
token  of  recognition  to  the  event  of  the  day. 

"  The  Constitution  having  been  signed  and  the  Con- 
vention dissolved,  the  members  proceeded  in  a  body 
to  the  house  of  General  Riley.  The  visit  was  evidently 
unexpected  by  the  old  veteran.  When  he  made  hig 
appearance,  Captain  Sutter  stepped  forward,  and 
having  shaken  him  by  the  hand,  drew  himself  into  an 
erect  attitude,  raised  one  hand  to  his  breast  as  if  he 
were  making  a  report  to  his  commanding  officer  on  the 
field  of  battle,  and  addressed  him  as  follows : 

"  '  GENERAL  :  I  have  been  appointed  by  the  dele- 
gates, elected  by  the  people  of  California  to  form  a 
Constitution,  to  address  you  in  their  names  and  in 
behalf  of  the  whole  people  of  California,  and  express 
the  thanks  of  the  Convention  for  the  aid  and  coopera- 
tion they  have  received  from  you  in  the  discharge  of 
the  responsible  duty  of  creating  a  State  government. 
And,  sir,  the  Convention,  as  you  will  perceive  from 
the  official  records,  duly  appreciates  the  great  and 
important  services  you  have  rendered  to  our  common 


iJO  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

country,  and  especially  to  the  people  of  California, 
and  entertains  the  confident  belief  that  you  will  receive 
from  the  whole  of  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
•when  you  retire  from  your  official  duties  here,  that 
verdict  so  grateful  to  the  heart  of  the  patriot :  '  Well 
done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant.' 

"  General  Riley  was  visibly  affected  by  this  martt 
of  respect,  no  less  appropriate  than  well  deserved  on 
his  part.  The  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  the  plain,  blunt 
sincerity  of  his  voice  and  manner,  went  to  the  heart 
of  every  one  present.  '  Gentlemen,'  he  said,  *  I 
never  made  a  speech  in  my  life.  I  am  a  soldier — but 
I  can  feel;  and  I  do  feel  deeply  the  honor  you  have 
this  day  conferred  upon  me.  Gentlemen,  this  is  a 
prouder  day  to  me  than  that  on  which  my  soldiers 
cheered  me  on  the  field  of  Contreras.  I  thank  you 
all  from  my  heart.  I  am  satisfied  now  that  the  people 
have  done  right  in  selecting  delegates  to  frame  a  Con- 
stitution. They  have  chosen  a  body  of  men  upon 
who'm  our  country  may  look  with  pride ;  you  have 
framed  a  Constitution  worthy  of  California.  And  I 
have  no  fear  for  California  while  her  people  choose 
their  representatives  so  wisely.  Gentlemen,  I  con- 
gratulate you  upon  the  successful  conclusion  of  your 
arduous  labors ;  and  I  wish  you  all  happiness  and 
prosperity.' 

"  The  General  was  here  interrupted  with  three  hearty 
cheers  which  the  members  gave  him,  as  Governor  of 
California,  followed  by  three  more, '  as  a  gallant  soldier, 
and  worthy  of  his  country's  glory.'  He  then  con- 
cluded in  the  following  words  :  *  I  have  but  one  thing 
to  add,  gentlemen,  and  that  is,  that  my  success  in  the 
affairs  of  California  is  mainly  owing  to  the  efficient 
aid  rendered  me  by  Captain  Halleck,  the  Secretary 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  131 

of  State.  He  has  stood  by  me  in  all  emergencies. 
To  him  I  have  always  appealed  when  at  a  loss  myself; 
and  he  has  never  failed  me.' 

"  This  recognition  of  Captain  Halleck's  talents  and 
the  signal  service  he  has  rendered  to  our  authorities 
here,  since  the  conquest,  was  peculiarly  just  and  appro- 
priate. It  was  so  felt  by  the  members,  and  they 
responded  with  equal  warmth  of  feeling  by  giving 
three  enthusiastic  cheers  for  the  Secretary  of  State. 
They  then  took  their  leave,  many  of  them  being  anxious 
to  start  this  afternoon  for  their  various  places  of  resi- 
dence. All  were  in  a  happy  and  satisfied  mood,  and 
none  less  so  than  the  native  members.  Pedrorena 
declared  that  this  was  the  most  fortunate  day  in  the 
history  of  California.  Even  Carillo,  in  the  beginning 
one  of  our  most  zealous  opponents,  displayed  a  genuine 
zeal  for  the  Constitution,  which  he  helped  to  frame 
under  the  laws  of  our  republic." 

The  elections  for  the  various  officers  under  the  new 
Constitution  took  place  on  the  13th  of  November, 
1849.  Peter  H.  Burnett  was  chosen  Governor,  and 
John  McDougall,  Lieutenant-Governor.  George  W. 
Wright  and  Edward  Gilbert  were  chosen  to  fill  the 
posts  of  representatives  in  Congress.  The  first  State 
Legislature  met  at  the  capital,  the  pueblo  de  San 
Jose*,  on  the  15th  of  December,  and  elected  John  C. 
Fremont  and  Wm.  M.  Gwin,  Senators  to  Congress. 
Every  branch  of  the  civil  government  went  at  once 
into  operation,  and  admission  into  the  Union  as  a 
State  seems  all  that  is  necessary  to  complete  the  settle* 
ment  of  affairs  in  California. 


132  HISTOBY  OF   CALIFORNIA. 

CHAPTER    X. 

POPULATION,  CLIMATE,  PRODUCTIONS,  &C. 

WITH  regard  to  the  population,  climate,  soil,  pro- 
ductions, &c.,  we  extract  from  Mr.  King's  Report,  as 
giving  the  most  reliable  and  complete  information. 

"Humboldt,  in  his  'Essay  on  New  Spain,' statei 
the  population  of  Upper  California,  in  1802.  to  hav« 
lonsisted  of 

Converted  Indians,  .        .        .        15,562 
Other  classes,  ....          1,300 

16,862 

"  Alexander  Forbes,  in  his  *  History  of  Upper  and 
Lower  California,'  published  in  London,  in  1839,  states 
the  number  of  converted  Indians  in  the  former  to 
have  been,  in  1881,          .         .         .         18,683 
Of  all  other  classes,  at     ...  4,342 

23,025 

"  He  expresses  the  opinion  that  this  number  had 
not  varied  much  up  to  1885,  and  the  probability  is, 
there  was  very  little  increase  in  the  white  population 
until  the  emigrants  from  the  United  States  began  to 
enter  the  country  in  1838. 

"  They  increased  from  year  to  year,  so  that,  in 
1846,  Colonel  Fremont  had  little  difficulty  in  calling 
to  his  standard  some  five  hundred  fighting  men. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  it  was  sup- 
rosed  that  there  were,  including  discharged  volunteers, 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  188 

from  ten  to  fifteen  thousand  Americans  and  Califor- 
nians,  exclusive  of  converted  Indians,  in  the  territory. 
The  immigration  of  American  citizens  in  1849,  up  to 
the  1st  of  January  last,  was  estimated  at  eighty  thou- 
sand— of  foreigners,  twenty  thousand. 

"  The  population  of  California  may,  therefore,  be 
safely  set  down  at  115,000  at  the  commencement  of 
the  present  year. 

"  It  is  quite  impossible  to  form  any  thing  like  an 
accurate  estimate  of  the  number  of  Indians  in  the  ter- 
ritory. Since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  and 
especially  since  the  discovery  of  gold  in  the  mountains, 
their  numbers  at  the  missions,  and  in  the  valleys  near 
the  coast,  have  very  much  diminished.  In  fact,  the 
whole  race  seems  to  be  rapidly  disappearing. 

"  The  remains  of  a  vast  number  of  villages  in  all 
the  valleys  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  among  the  foot- 
hills of  that  range  of  mountains,  show  that  at  no  dis- 
tant day  there  must  have  been  a  riumerous  population, 
where  there  is  not  now  an  Indian  to  be  seen.  There 
are  a  few  still  retained  in  the  service  of  the  old  Cali- 
fornians,  but  these  do  not  amount  to  more  than  a  few 
thousand  in  the  whole  territory.  It  is  said  there  are 
large  numbers  of  them  in  the  mountains  and  valleys 
about  the  head-waters  of  the  San  Joaquin,  along  the 
western  base  of  the  Sierra,  and  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  territory,  and  that  they  are  hostile.  A  number 
of  Americans  were  killed  by  them  during  the  last 
summer,  in  attempting  to  penetrate  high  up  the  rivers 
in  search  of  gold ;  they  also  drove  one  or  two  parties 
from  Trinity  River.  They  have,  in  several  instances, 
attacked  parties  coming  from  or  returning  to  Oregon, 
in  the  section  of  country  which  the  lamented  Captain 
Warner  was  examining  when  he  was  killed. 


134  HISTOBT  OF   CALIFORNIA. 

"  It  is  quite  impossible  to  form  any  estimate  of  the 
number  of  these  mountain  Indians.  Some  suppose 
there  are  as  many  as  three  hundred  thousand  in  the 
territory,  but  I  should  not  be  inclined  to  believe  that 
there  can  be  one-third  of  that  number.  It  is  quite 
evident  that  they  are  hostile,  and  that  they  ought  to 
be  chastised  for  the  murders  already  committed. 

"The  small  bands  with  whom  I  met,  scattered 
through  the  lower  portions  of  the  foot-hills  of  the 
Sierra,  and  in  the  valleys  between  them  and  the  coast, 
seemed  to  be  almost  the  lowest  grade  of  human  beings. 
They  live  chiefly  on  acorns,  roots,  insects,  and  the 
kernel  of  the  pine  burr;  occasionally,  they  catch  fish 
and  game.  They  use  the  bow  and  arrow,  but  are  said 
to  be  too  lazy  and  effeminate  to  make  successful  hun- 
ters. They  do  not  appear  to  have  the  slightest  incli- 
nation to  cultivate  the  soil,  nor  do  they  even  attempt 
it — as  far  as  I  could  obtain  information — except  when 
they  are  induced  to  enter  the  service  of  the  white 
inhabitants.  They  have  never  pretended  to  hold  any 
interest  in  the  soil,  nor  have  they  been  treated  by  the 
Spanish  or  American  immigrants  as  possessing  any. 

"  The  Mexican  government  never  treated  with  them 
for  the  purchase  of  land,  or  the  relinquishment  of  any 
claim  to  it  whatever.  They  are  lazy,  idle  to  the  last 
degree,  and,  although  they  are  said  to  be  willing  to 
give  their  services  to  any  one  who  will  provide  them 
with  blankets,  beef,  and  bread,  it  is  with  much  diffi- 
culty they  can  be  made  to  perform  labor  enough  to 
reward  their  employers  for  these  very  limited  means 
of  comfort. 

"  Formerly,  at  the  missions,  those  who  were  brought 
up  and  instructed  by  the  priests  made  very  good  ser- 
Tants.  Many  of  these  now  attached  to  families 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  135 

to  be  faithful  and  intelligent.  But  those  who  are  at 
all  in  a  wild  and  uncultivated  state  are  most  degraded 
objects  of  filth  and  idleness. 

"  It  is  possible  that  government  might,  by  collecting 
them  together,  teach  them,  in  some  degree,  the  arts 
and  habits  of  civilization ;  but,  if  we  may  judge  of  the 
future  from  the  past,  they  will  disappear  from  the  face 
of  the  earth  as  the  settlements  of  the  whites  extend 
over  the  country.  A  very  considerable  military  force 
will  be  necessary,  however,  to  protect  the  emigrants  in 
the  northern  and  southern  portions  of  the  territory." 

So  much  for  the  population  of  California  at  the 
commencoment  of  the  present  year,  (1850.)  By  its 
close,  it  is  highly  probable,  the  number  will  reach  two 
hundred  thousand,  exclusive  of  the  Indians.  Such  a 
population,  composed,  for  the  most  part,  of  those  who 
are  impregnated  with  the  active,  progressive  spirit  of 
the  American  people,  will  undoubtedly  conduct  Cali 
fornia  to  a  brilliant  position  among  the  stars  of  the 
republic.  With  regard  to  the  climate  of  the  country, 
various  conflicting  statements  have  been  promulgated, 
which  arises  from  the  visits  of  those  who  make  the 
statements  having  been  made  to  different  portions  of 
the  country,  and  stating  the  climate  of  a  portion  as 
the  climate  of  the  whole.  Mr.  King's  Report  fur- 
nishes the  most  accurate  account  of  the  changes  of 
the  temperature,  and  the  state  of  the  atmosphere 
throughout  the  year,  together  with  an  explanation  of 
their  causes.  He  says — 

"  I  come  now  to  consider  the  climate.  The  climate 
of  California  is  so  remarkable  in  its  periodical  changes, 
and  for  the  long  continuance  of  the  wet  and  dry  sea- 
sons, dividing,  as  they  do,  the  year  into  about  two 
•wo  tqual  parts,  which  have  a  most  peculiar  influence 


186  a^*OAl    OF   CALIFORNIA. 


on  the  labor  applied  t*;  agriculture  and  the  products 
of  the  soil,  and,  in  fact>  connect  themselves  so  insepa 
rably  with  all  the  interests  of  the  country,  that  I  deem 
it  proper  briefly  to  mention  the  causes  which  produce 
these  changes,  and  which,  it  will  be  seen,  as  this  report 
proceeds,  must  exercise  a  controlling  Influence  on  the 
commercial  prosperity  and  resources  of  the  country. 

"  It  is  a  well-established  theory,  that  Ahe  currents 
of  air  under  which  the  earth  passes  131  its  diurnal 
revolutions,  follow  the  line  of  the  Bun's  greaA<>st  attrac- 
tion. These  currents  of  air  are  drawn  towards  this 
line  from  great  distances  on  each  side  of  it  ;  and,  as 
the  earth  revolves  from  west  to  east,  they  blow  from 
north-east  and  south-east,  meeting,  and,  of  course, 
causing*  a  calm,  on  the  line. 

"  Thus,  when  the  sun  is  directly,  in  common  par- 
lance, over  the  equator,  in  the  month  of  March,  these 
currents  of  air  blow  from  some  distance  north  of  the 
Tropic  of  Cancer,  and  south  of  the  Tropic  of  Capri- 
corn, in  an  oblique  direction  towards  this  line  of  the 
sun's  greatest  attraction,  and  forming  what  are  knowm 
as  the  north-east  and  south-east  trade  winds. 

"  As  the  earth,  in  its  path  round  the  sun,  gradually 
brings  the  line  of  attraction  north,  in  summer,  these 
currents  of  air  are  carried  with  it  ;  so  that  about  the 
middle  of  May  the  current  from  the  north-east  has 
extended  as  far  as  the  38th  or  39th  degree  of  north 
latitude,  and  by  the  twentieth  of  June,  the  period  of 
the  sun's  greatest  northern  inclination,  to  the  northern 
portions  of  California  and  the  southern  section  of 
Oregon. 

"  These  north-east  winds,  in  their  progress  across 
the  continent,  towards  the  Pacific  Ocean,  pass  over 
the  snow-capped  ridges  af  the  Rocky  Mountains  and 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  137 

the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  are,  of  course,  deprived  of  all 

the  moisture  which  can  be  extracted  from  them  by  the 
low  temperature  of  those  regions  of  eternal  snow,  and 
consequently  no  moisture  can  be  precipitated  from 
them,  in  the  form  of  dew  or  rain,  in  a  higher  tempera- 
ture than  that  to  which  they  have  been  subjected. 
They,  therefore,  pass  over  the  hills  and  plains  of 
California,  where  the  temperature  is  very  high  in 
summer,  in  a  very  dry  state ;  and,  so  far  from  being 
charged  with  moisture,  they  absorb,  like  a  sponge,  all 
that  the  atmosphere  and  surface  of  the  earth  can  yield, 
until  both  become,  apparently,  perfectly  dry. 

"  This  process  commences,  as  I  have  said,  when  the 
line  of  the  sun's  greatest  attraction  comes  north  in 
summer,  bringing  with  it  these  vast  atmospheric 
movements,  and,  on  their  approach,  produce  the  dry 
season  in  California ;  which,  governed  by  these  laws, 
continues  until  some  time  after  the  sun  repasses  the 
Equator  in  September,  when,  about  the  middle  of 
November,  the  climate  being  relieved  from  these  north- 
east currents  of  air,  the  south-west  winds  set  in  from 
the  ocean  charged  with  moisture — the  rains  commence 
and  continue  to  fall,  not  constantly,  as  some  persons 
have  represented,  but  with  sufficient  frequency  to 
designate  the  period  of  their  continuance,  from  about 
the  middle  of  November  until  the  middle  of  May,  in 
the  latitude  of  San  Francisco,  as  the  wet  season. 

"  It  follows,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that  the  dry 
season  commences  first,  and  continues  longest  in  the 
southern  portions  of  the  territory,  and  that  the  climate 
of  the  northern  part  is  influenced  in  a  much  less 
degree,  by  the  causes  which  I  have  mentioned,  than 
any  other  section  of  the  country.  Consequently,  we 
find  that,  as  low  down  as  latitude  39°,  rains  are  suffi- 
11 


138  HISTORY   OP    CALIFORNIA. 

ciently  frequent  in  summer  to  render  irrigation  quite 
unnecessary  to  the  perfect  maturity  of  any  crop  which 
is  suited  to  the  soil  and  climate. 

"  There  is  an  extensive  ocean  current  of  cold  water, 
which  comes  from  the  northern  regions  of  the  Pacific, 
or,  perhaps,  from  the  Arctic,  and  flows  along  the 
coast  of  California.  It  comes  charged  with,  and  emita 
in  its  progress,  cold  air,  which  appears  in  the  form  of 
fog  when  it  comes  in  contact  with  a  higher  tempera- 
ture on  the  American  coast,  as  the  gulf-stream  of  the 
Atlantic  exhales  vapor  when  it  meets,  in  any  part  of 
its  progress,  a  lower  temperature.  This  current  has 
not  heen  surveyed,  and,  therefore,  its  source,  tempera- 
ture, velocity,  width,  and  course,  have  not  been  accu- 
rately ascertained. 

"  It  is  believed,  by  Lieutenant  Maury,  on  what  he 
considers  sufficient  evidence — and  no  higher  authority 
can  be  cited — that  this  current  comes  from  the  coasts 
of  China  and  Japan,  flows  northwardly  to  the  penin- 
sula of  Kamtschatka,  and,  making  a  circuit  to  the 
eastward,  strikes  the  American  coast  in  about  latitude 
41°  or  42°.  It  passes  thence  southwardly,  and  finally 
loses  itself  in  the  tropics. 

"  Below  latitude  thirty-nine,  and  west  of  the  foot- 
hills of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  the  forests  of  California 
are  limited  to  some  scattering  groves  of  oak  in  the 
valleys  and  along  the  borders  of  the  streams,  and  of 
red  wood  on  the  ridges  and  in  the  gorges  of  the  hills 
—sometimes  extending  into  the  plains.  Some  of  the 
hills  are  covered  with  dwarf  shrubs,  which  may  be 
used  as  fuel.  'With  these  exceptions,  the  whole 
territory  presents  a  surface  without  trees  or  shrub- 
bery. It  is  covered,  however,  with  various  species 
of  grass,  and,  for  many  miles  from  the  coast,  with 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  139 

wild  oats,  which,  in  the  valleys,  grow  most  luxuriantly. 
These  grasses  and  oats  mature  and  ripen  early  in  the 
dry  season,  and  soon  cease  to  protect  the  soil  from 
the  scorching  rays  of  the  sun.  As  the  summer  ad 
vances,  the  moisture  in  the  atmosphere  and  the  earth, 
to  a  considerable  depth,  soon  becomes  exhausted ; 
and  the  radiation  of  heat,  from  the  extensive  naked 
plains  and  hill-sides,  is  very  great. 

"  The  cold,  dry  currents  of  air  from  the  north-east, 
after  passing  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  descend  to  the  Pacific,  and  absorb  the  moist- 
ure of  the  atmosphere,  to  a  great  distance  from  the 
land.  The  cold  air  from  the  mountains,  and  that 
which  accompanies  the  great  ocean  current  from  the 
north-west,  thus  become  united ;  and  vast  banks  of 
fog  are  generated,  which,  when  driven  by  the  wind 
has  a  penetrating,  or  cutting,  effect  on  the  human 
skin,  much  more  uncomfortable  than  would  be  felt  in 
the  humid  atmosphere  of  the  Atlantic,  at  a  much 
lower  temperature. 

"As  the  sun  rises  from  <Jay  to  day,  week  after  week, 
and  month  after  month,  in  unclouded  brightness  dur- 
ing the  dry  season,  and  pours  down  its  unbroken  rays 
on  the  dry,  unprotected  surface  of  the  country,  the 
heat  becomes  so  much  greater  inland  than  it  is  on  the 
ocean,  that  an  under-current  of  cold  air,  bringing  the 
fog  with  it,  rushes  over  the  coast  range  of  hills,  and 
through  their  numerous  passes,  towards  the  interior. 

"Every  day,  as  the  heat,  inland,  attains  a  sufficient 
temperature,  the  cold,  dry  wind  from  the  ocean  com- 
mences to  blow.  This  is  usually  from  eleven  to  one 
>/ clock ;  and,  as  the  day  advances,  the  wind  increases 
and  continues  to  blow  till  late  at  night.  When  the 
vacuum  is  filled,  or  the  equilibrium  of  the  atmosphere 


140  HISTORY    OF   CALIFOKNIA. 

restored,  the  wind  ceases ;  a  perfect  calm  prevails 
until  about  the  same  hour  the  following  day,  when 
the  same  process  commences  and  progresses  as  be- 
fore ;  and  these  phenomena  are  of  daily  occurrence, 
with  few  exceptions,  throughout  the  dry  season. 

"  These  cold  winds  and  fogs  render  the  climate  at 
San  Francisco,  and  all  along  the  coast  of  California, 
except  the  extreme  southern  portion  of  it,  probably 
more  uncomfortable,  to  those  not  accustomed  to  it,  in 
summer  than  in  winter. 

"A  few  miles  inland,  where  the  heat  of  the  sun 
modifies  and  softens  the  wind  from  the  ocean,  the 
climate  is  moderate  and  delightful.  The  heat,  in  the 
middle  of  the  day,  is  not  so  great  as  to  retard  labor 
or  render  exercise  in  the  open  air  uncomfortable. 
The  nights  are  cool  and  pleasant.  This  description 
of  climate  prevails  in  all  the  valleys  along  the  coast 
range,  and  extends  throughout  the  country,  north  and 
south,  as  far  eastward  as  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento 
and  San  Joaquin.  In  this  vast  plain,  the  sea-breeze 
loses  its  influence,  and  the  degree  of  heat  in  the 
middle  of  the  day,  during  the  summer  months,  is 
much  greater  than  is  known  on  the  Atlantic  coast  in 
the  same  latitudes.  It  is  dry,  however,  and  probably 
not  more  oppressive.  On  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  and  especially  in  the  deep  ravines  of  the 
streams,  the  thermometer  frequently  ranges  fron> 
110°  to  115°  in  the  shade,  during  three  or  four  hours 
of  the  day,  say  from  eleven  until  three  o'clock.  In 
the  evening,  as  the  sun  declines,  the  radiation  of  heat 
ceases.  The  cool,  dry  atmosphere  from  the  mountains 
spreads  over  the  whole  country,  and  renders  the 
lights  cool  and  invigorating. 

"I  have  been  kindly  furnished,  by  Surgeon-General 


HISTORI    OF   CALIFORNIA.  141 

Lawson,  U.  S.  Army,  with  thermometrical  observa- 
tions, taken  at  the  following  places  in  California, 
viz  :  At  San  Francisco,  by  Assistant- Surgeon  W.  C. 
Parker,  for  six  months,  embracing  the  last  quarter  of 
1847  and  the  first  quarter  of  1848.  The  monthly 
mean  temperature  was  as  follows :  October,  57°; 
November,  49°;  December,  50°;  January,  49°; 
February,  50°;  March,  51°. 

"  At  Monterey,  in  latitude  36°  38'  north  and  longi- 
tude 121°  west,  on  the  coast,  about  one  degree  and  a 
half  south  of  San  Francisco,  by  Assistant- Surgeon 
W.  S.  King,  for  seven  months,  from  M  ay  to  Novem- 
ber inclusive.  The  monthly  mean  temperature  was  : 
May,  56°;  June,  59°;  July,  62°;  August,  59°;  Sep- 
tember, 58°;  October,  60°;  November,  56°. 

"At  Los  Angeles,  latitude  34°  7;,  longitude  west 
118°  7',  by  Assistant-Surgeon  Joan  S.  Griffin,  for 
ten  months,  from  June,  1847,  to  March,  1848,  inclu- 
sive. The  monthly  mean  tempeiature  was:  June, 
73°;  July,  74°;  August,  75°;  September,  75°; 
October,  69°;  November,  59°;  December,  60°; 
January,  58°;  February,  55°;  March,  58°.  This 
place  is  about  forty  miles  from  the  coast. 

"  At  San  Diego,  latitude  32°  45',  longitude  west 
117°  11',  by  Assistant-Surgeon  J.  D.  Summers,  for 
the  following  three  months  of  1849,  viz :  July, 
monthly  mean  temperature,  73°;  August  75°;  Sep- 
tember, 70°. 

"  At  Suttersville,  on  the  Sacramento  River,  latitude 
38°  32'  north,  longitude  west  121°  34',  by  Assistant- 
Surgeon  R.  Murray,  for  the  following  months  of  1849 : 
July,  monthly  mean  temperature,  73°;  August,  70°; 
September,  65°;  October.  65°. 

"  These  observations  show  a  remarkably  high  tempe- 


142  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

rature  at  San  Francisco  during  the  six  months  from 
October  to  March  inclusive;  a  variation  of  only 
eight  degrees  in  the  monthly  mean,  and  a  mean 
temperature  for  the  six  months  of  51  degrees. 

"  At  Monterey,  we  find  the  mean  monthly  tempera- 
ture of  the  seven  months  to  have  been  58°.  If  we 
take  the  three  summer  months,  the  mean  heat  was  60°. 
The  mean  of  the  three  winter  months  was  a  little  over 
49°;  showing  a  mean  difference,  on  that  part  of  the 
coast,  of  only  11°  between  summer  and  winter. 

"  The  mean  temperature  of  San  Francisco,  for  the 
three  winter  months,  was  precisely  the  same  as  at 
Monterey — a  little  over  49°. 

"As  these  cities  are  only  one  degree  and  a  half 
distant  from  each  other,  and  both  situated  near  the 
ocean,  the  temperature  at  both,  in  summer,  may  very 
reasonably  be  supposed  to  be  as  nearly  similar  as  the 
thermometer  shows  it  to  be  in  winter. 

"  The  mean  temperature  of  July,  August,  and  Sep- 
tember, at  San  Diego,  only  3°  53'  south  of  Monterey, 
was  72°.  The  mean  temperature  of  the  same  months 
at  Monterey  was  a  little  over  59°;  showing  a  mean 
difference  of  13°. 

"  This  would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  cold  ocean 
current  is  thrown  off  from  the  southern  part  of  the 
coast  by  Point  Conception,  and  the  islands  south  of 
it ;  and  consequently  its  influence  on  the  climate  of 
San  Diego  is  much  less  than  at  Monterey  and  San 
Francisco. 

"  At  Los  Angeles,  40  miles  distant  from  the  coast, 
the  mean  temperature  of  the  three  months  was  74°; 
of  the  three  autumn  months,  67°;  of  the  three 
winter  months,  57°. 

"At  Suttersville,  about  one   hundred   and  thirty 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  148 

miles  from  the  ocean,  and  four  degrees  north  of  Los 
Angeles,  the  mean  temperature  of  August,  Septem- 
ber, and  October,  was  67°.  The  mean  temperature 
of  the  same  months  at  Monterey  was  59°;  showing  a 
difference  of  8°  between  the  sea-coast  and  the  interior, 
on  nearly  the  same  parallel  of  latitude.  A  much 
greater  difference  would  undoubtedly  appear,  if  we 
had  observations  for  the  spring  and  summer  months 
of  Suttersville  and  the  gold  mines. 

"  These  variations  in  the  climate  of  California  ac- 
count for  the  various  and  conflicting  opinions  and 
statements  respecting  it. 

"  A  stranger  arriving  at  San  Francisco  in  summer  is 
annoyed  by  the  cold  winds  and  fogs,  and  pronounces 
the  climate  intolerable.  A  few  months  will  modify, 
if  not  banish  his  dislike,  and  he  will  not  fail  to  ap- 
preciate the  beneficial  effects  of  a  cool,  bracing  atmo- 
sphere. Those  who  approach  California  overland, 
through  the  passes  of  the  mountains,  find  the  heat  of 
summer,  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  greater  than  they 
have  been  accustomed  to,  and,  therefore,  may  com 
plain  of  it. 

Thofee  who  take  up  their  residence  in  the  valleys 
which  are  situated  between  the  great  plain  of  the 
Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  and  the  coast  range  of 
hills,  find  the  climate,  especially  in  the  dry  season,  as 
healthful  and  pleasant  as  it  is  possible  for  any  climate 
to  be  which  possesses  sufficient  heat  to  mature  the  ce- 
real grains  and  edible  roots  of  the  temperate  zone. 

"  The  division  of  the  year  into  two  distinct  seasons 
— dry  and  wet — impresses  those  who  have  been  ac- 
customed to  the  variable  climate  of  the  Atlantic 
States  unfavorably.  The  dry  appearance  of  the 
country  in  summer,  and  the  difficulty  of  moving  about 


144  HISTORY  OP  CALIFORNIA. 

in  winter,  seem  to  impose  serious  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  agricultural  prosperity,  while  the  many  and 
decided  advantages  resulting  from  the  mildness  of 
winter,  and  the  bright,  clear  weather  of  summer,  are 
not  appreciated.  These  will  appear  when  I  come  to 
speak  of  the  productions  of  California.  We  ought 
not  to  be  surprised  at  the  dislike  which  the  immigrants 
frequently  express  to  the  climate.  It  is  so  unlike 
that  from  which  they  come,  that  they  cannot  readily 
appreciate  its  advantages,  or  become  reconciled  to  its 
extremes  of  dry  and  wet. 

"  If  a  native  of  California  were  to  go  to  New 
England  in  winter,  and  see  the  ground  frozen  and 
covered  with  snow,  the  streams  with  ice,  and  find 
himself  in  a  temperature  many  degrees  colder  than 
he  had  ever  felt  before,  he  would  probably  be  as  much 
surprised  that  people  could  or  would  live  in  so  in- 
hospitable a  region,  as  any  immigrant  ever  has  been 
at  what  he  has  seen  or  felt  in  California. 

"  So  much  are  our  opinions  influenced  by  early  im- 
pressions, the  vicissitudes  of  the  seasons  with  which 
we  are  familiar,  love  of  country,  home,  and  kindred, 
that  we  ought  never  to  hazard  a  hasty  opinion  when 
we  come  in  contact  with  circumstances  entirely  differ- 
ent from  those  to  which  we  have  all  our  lives  been 
accustomed." 

These  remarks  explain  the  reason  of  the  diversity 
of  opinion  expressed  by  persons  who  have  visited 
California,  in  a  very  satisfactory  manner.  The  Italian 
climate  of  Los  Angeles  has  received  the  praises  of 
nearly  all  who  have  visited  that  city  or  its  neighbor- 
hood. The  themometncal  observations  detailed  in 
the  above  account  seem  to  prove  that  much  of  the  un- 
favorable opinions  expressed  concerning  the  climate  if 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  145 

the  result  of  hasty  judgment,  and  a  dislike  of  that 
which  is  different  from  that  to  which  we  have  been 
used. 

The  soil  of  California  has  also  been  the  subject  of 
various  and  conflicting  statements.  Many  of  those 
who  have  spent  some  months  in  the  country,  and  re- 
turned to  publish  their  hastily  gathered  observations, 
either  set  down  the  soil  as  totally  unfit  for  agricultural 
purposes,  or,  having  been  located  in  some  garden  spot 
the  great  portion  of  their  time  of  residence  there,  pro- 
nounce it  unsurpassed  for  richness  and  fertility.  As 
Mr.  King  visited  California  with  the  sole  object  of 
making  accurate  observations  upon  the  territory  and 
its  resources,  the  statements  of  tLe  character  of  the 
soil  which  are  given  in  his  report  will  carry  greater 
weight  than  any  other.  He  says — 

"The  valleys  which  are  situated  parallel  to  the 
coast  range,  and  those  which  extend  eastwardly  in  all 
directions  among  the  hills,  towards  the  great  plain  of 
the  Sacramento,  are  of  unsurpassed  fertility. 

"  They  have  a  deep  black  alluvial  soil,  which  has 
the  appearance  of  having  been  deposited  when  they 
were  covered  with  water.  This  idea  is  strengthened 
by  the  fact  that  the  rising  grounds  on  the  borders  of 
these  valleys,  and  many  hills  of  moderate  elevation, 
have  a  soil  precisely  like  that  of  the  adjoining  plains. 

"  This  soil  is  so  porous  that  it  remains  perfectly  un- 
broken by  gullies,  notwithstanding  the  great  quantity 
of  water  which  falls  in  it  annually  during  the  wet 
season.  The  land  in  the  northern  part  of  the  terri- 
tory, on  the  Trinity  and  other  rivers,  and  on  tne  bor- 
ders of  Clear  Lake,  as  far  as  it  has  been  examined,  is 
said  to  be  remarkably  fertile. 

"The  great  valley  of  the  Sacramento  and  San 
H 


A46  HISTOBY    JP  CALEFOKNIA. 

Joaquin  has  evidently  been,  at  some  remote  period, 
the  bed  of  a  lake ;  and  those  rivers,  which  drain  it, 
present  the  appearance  of  having  cut  their  channels 
through  the  alluvial  deposit  after  it  had  been  formed. 
In  fact,  it  is  not  possible  that  they  could  have  been 
instrumental  in  forming  the  plain  through  which  they 
pass.  Their  head-waters  come  from  the  extreme  ends 
of  the  valley,  north  and  south ;  and,  were  it  not  for 
the  supply  of  water  received  from  the  streams  which 
flow  into  them  from  the  Sierra  Nevada,  their  beds 
would  be  almost,  if  not  quite,  dry  in  the  summer 
months.  The  soil  is  very  rich,  and,  with  a  proper 
system  of  drainage  and  embankment,  would,  undoubt- 
edly, be  capable  of  producing  any  crop,  except  sugar- 
cane, now  cultivated  in  the  Atlantic  States  of  the 
Union. 

"  There  are  many  beautiful  valleys  and  rich  hill- 
sides among  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  which, 
when  the  profits  of  labor  in  mining  shall  be  reduced 
so  as  to  cause  its  application  to  agriculture,  will  pro- 
bably support  a  large  population.  There  is  said  to 
be  a  rich  belt  of  well-timbered  and  watered  country 
extending  the  whole  length  of  the  gold  region  between 
it  and  the  Sierra  Nevada,  some  twenty  miles  in  width. 
There  is  no  information  sufficiently  accurate  respect- 
ing the  eastern  slope  of  the  great  snowy  range  to 
enable  us  to  form  any  opinion  of  its  general  character 
or  soil.  Some  of  its  valleys  have  been  visited  by 
miners,  who  represent  them  as  equal  to  any  portion 
of  the  country  to  the  westward  of  it. 

"The  great  valley  of  the  Colorado,  situated  between 
the  Sierra  Madre  and  the  Sierra  Nevada,  is  but  little 
known.  It  is  inhabited  by  numerous  tribes  of  savages, 
who  manifest  the  most  decided  hostility  towards  the 


HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA.  147 

whites,  and  have  hitherto  prevented  any  explorations 
of  their  country,  and  do  not  permit  emigrants  to  pass 
through  it.  Therefore,  parties  from  Santa  F£,  on 
their  way  to  California,  are  compelled  to  make  a  cir- 
cuit of  near  a  thousand  miles  northward  to  the  Salt 
Lake,  or  about  the  same  distance  southward  by  the 
route  of  the  Gila.  Although  this  valley  is  little  known, 
there  are  indications  that  it  is  fertile  and  valuable. 

"  The  name  of  the  river  *  Colorado'  is  descriptive 
of  its  waters ;  they  are  as  deeply  colored  as  those  of 
the  Missouri  or  Red  River,  while  those  of  the  Gila, 
which  we  know  flows  through  barren  lands,  are  clear. 

"It  would  seem  impossible  for  a  large  river  to  col- 
lect sediment  enough  in  a  sandy,  barren  soil,  to  color 
its  waters  so  deeply  as  to  give  it  a  name  among  those 
who  first  discovered  and  have  since  visited  its  shores. 
The  probability,  therefore,  is,  that  this  river  flows 
through  an  alluvial  valley  of  great  fertility,  which  has 
never  been  explored.  This  conjecture  is  strengthened 
by  the  fact  that  the  Indians  who  inhabit  it  are  hostile, 
and  oppose,  as  far  as  they  can,  all  persons  who  attempt 
to  enter  or  explore  it.  This  has  been  their  uniform 
course  of  conduct  respecting  all  portions  of  the  conti- 
nent which  have  been  fertile,  abounding  in  game  and 
the  spontaneous  productions  of  the  earth. 

"  As  this  valley  is  situated  in  the  direct  route  from 
Santa  FC"  to  California,  its  thorough  exploration  be- 
comes a  matter  of  very  great  importance,  especially 
as  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  elevated  regions  to 
the  north  of  it,  covered  with  snow  during  most  of  the 
year,  will  force  the  line  of  the  great  national  railway 
to  the  Pacific  through  some  portion  of  it. 

"  The  soil  I  have  described,  situated  west  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  and  embracing  the  plain  of  the  Sacra 


148  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

mento  and  San  Joaquin,  covers  an  area,  as  nearly  ae 
I  can  estimate,  of  between  fifty  and  sixty  thousand 
square  miles,  and  would,  under  a  proper  system  of 
cultivation,  be  capable  of  supporting  a  population 
equal  to  that  of  Ohio  or  New  York  at  the  present 
time." 

If  this  account  be  accurate,  the  soil  of  California 
will  yield  a  rich  reward  to  the  agriculturist,  and  be- 
come a  strong  attraction  to  permanent  settlers,  who 
are  willing  to  trust  to  the  more  certain  returns  for 
labor  spent  in  tilling  it.  It  is  agriculture,  undoubtedly, 
which  must  give  stability  to  the  increase  of  the  coun- 
try, and,  whatever  may  be  the  value  of  the  gold  mines, 
furnish  California  with  her  substantial  wealth.  Few 
cities  or  towns  ever  had  a  permanent  prosperity  which 
had  not  a  neighboring  country  fit  for  agricultural 
purposes. 

The  quantity  and  quality  of  the  present  productions 
of  California,  other  than  her  mineral  wealth,  is  an 
important  subject  for  inquiry.  Previous  to  the  dis- 
covery of  the  gold,  the  exportable  products  consisted 
almost  exclusively  of  hides  and  tallow ;  the  inhabitants 
paying  more  attention  to  the  raising  of  horses  and 
cattle  than  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil.  The  reason 
is  found  in  the  general  characteristic  of  the  Califor- 
nians — indolence.  Horses  were  raised  to  gratify 
their  passion  for  riding;  and  cattle,  because  they 
afforded  a  subsistence  at  a  very  small  cost  of  labor. 
As  to  what  are,  and  what,  by  the  character  of  the 
soil  and  climate,  might  be,  the  products  of  California, 
and  how  the  wants  of  the  people  are  to  be  supplied, 
we  quote  Mr.  King's  remarks : 

"  Beef  cattle,  delivered  on  the  navigable  waters  of 
the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  are  now  worth  from  $20  to 


HISTORY   OF   CAi-IFOkNIA  149 

$80  per  head;  horses,  formerly  worth  from  $5  to 
$10,  are  now  valued  at  $60  to  $150.  The  destruc- 
tion of  cattle  for  their  hides  and  tallow  has  now  entirely 
ceased,  in  consequence  of  the  demand  for  beef.  This 
demand,  will,  of  course,  increase  with  the  population  ; 
and  it  would  seem  that,  in  a  very  few  years,  there 
will  be  none  to  supply  the  market. 

"  If  we  estimate  the  number  of  cattle  now  in  Cali- 
fornia at  600,000  head,  which  is  believed  to  be  about 
the  number,  and  the  population  at  120,000  for  the  year 
1850 — a  low  estimate — and  suppose  it  to  increase  one 
hundred  thousand  per  annum,  there  will  be  in  the 
Territory  or  State,  in  1854,  five  hundred  and  twenty 
thousand  people. 

"  If  we  adopt  the  estimate  of  those  well  acquainted 
with  the  demand,  of  half  a  beef,  on  an  average,  to 
each  inhabitant,  it  appears  there  will  be  a  consump- 
tion, in  1850,  of  60,000  head;  in  1851,  of  110,000; 
in  1852,  of  160,000 ;  in  1853,  of  210,000 ;  in  1854, 
of  260,000— making  an  aggregate  of  800,000,  which 
would  absorb  all  the  present  stock,  with  its  natural 
increase. 

"  This  is  a  very  important  matter,  as  connected  with 
the  amount  of  supply  which  that  country  will  ultimately 
require  from  the  Atlantic  States  of  the  Union.  There 
is  no  other  country  on  earth  which  has,  or  will  ever 
possess,  the  means  of  supplying  so  great  a  demand. 

"  It  is  now  a  well-established  fact  among  the  immi- 
grants to  California,  that  oxen  possess  greater  powers 
of  endurance  than  mules  or  horses;  that  they  will 
perform  the  distance  with  loaded  wagons  in  less  time, 
and  come  in  at  the  end  of  the  journey  in  better  con- 
dition. 

"Cows  are  now  driven  in  considerable  numbers 


150  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

from  Missouri,  and  the  time  cannot  be  far  distant 
when  cattle  from  the  Western  States  will  be  driven 
annually  by  tens  of  thousands  to  supply  this  new 
market. 

"If  California  increases  in  population  as  fast  as 
the  most  moderate  estimate  would  lead  us  to  believe, 
it  will  n$t  be  five  years  before  she  will  require  more 
than  one  hundred  thousand  head  of  beef  cattle  per 
annum,  from  some  quarter,  to  supply  the  wants  of  her 
people. 

"  It  must  not  be  supposed  that  salt  provisions  may 
supply  this  vast  demand.  Those  who  have  attempted 
to  live  on  such  food,  during  the  dry  season,  have  been 
attacked  with  scurvy  and  other  cutaneous  diseases,  of 
which  many  have  died. 

"  There  is  no  climate  in  the  world  where  fresh  meat 
and  vegetables  are  more  essential  to  human  health. 
In  fact,  they  are  indispensable. 

"  It  must  not  be  inferred  that  cattle  driven  acrosa 
the  plains  and  mountains,  from  the  Western  States, 
will  be  fit  for  beef  on  their  arrival  in  California.  But 
one  winter  and  spring,  on  the  luxuriant  pastures  of 
that  country,  will  put  them  in  a  condition  which  would 
render  them  acceptable  in  any  Atlantic  market. 

"  These  grazing  grounds  are  extensive  enough  to 
support  five  times  as  many  cattle  as  may  be  annually 
required ;  therefore,  there  will  be  no  scarcity  of  food 
far  them. 

"  I  am  acquainted  with  a  drover  who  left  California 
in  December  last,  with  the  intention  of  bringing  in 
ten  thousand  sheep  from  New  Mexico.  This  shows 
that  the  flocks  and  herds  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
are  looked  to  already  as  the  source  from  which  the 
markets  on  the  Pacific  are  to  be  supplied 


HISTOBY  OP  CALIFORNIA.  151 

•*  The  climate  and  soil  of  California  are  well  suited 
to  the  growth  of  wheat,  barley,  rye,  and  oats.  The 
temperature  along  the  coast  is  too  cool  for  the  success- 
ful culture  of  maize  as  a  field  crop.  The  fact  that 
oats,  the  species  which  is  cultivated  in  the  Atlantic 
States,  are  annually  self-sowed  and  produced  on  all 
the  plains  and  hills  along  the  coast,  and  as  far  inland 
as  the  sea-breeze  has  a  marked  influence  on  the  climate, 
is  sufficient  proof  that  all  the  cereal  grains  may  be 
successfully  cultivated  without  the  aid  of  irrigation. 

"  It  is  quite  true  that  this  auxiliary  was  extensively 
employed  at  the  missions,  and  undoubtedly  increased 
the  product  of  all  crops  to  which  it  was  applied,  as  it 
will  in  any  country  on  earth  if  skilfully  used.  This 
does  not  prove,  however,  that  it  was  essentially  neces- 
sary to  the  production  of  an  ample  reward  to  the 
husbandman.  The  experience  of  all  the  old  inhabit- 
ants is  sufficient  evidence  of  this.  If  their  imperfect 
mode  of  culture  secured  satisfactory  returns,  it  is 
reasonable  to  presume  that  a  more  perfect  system 
would  produce  much  greater  results.  There  is  abun- 
dant evidence  to  prove  that,  in  the  rich  alluvial  valleys, 
wheat  and  barley  have  produced  from  forty  to  sixty 
bushels  from  one  bushel  of  seed,  without  irrigation. 

"  Irish  potatoes,  turnips,  onions,  in  fact  all  the  edible 
roots  known  and  cultivated  in  the  Atlantic  States,  are 
produced  in  great  perfection.  In  all  the  valleys  east 
of  the  coast  range  of  hills,  the  climate  is  sufficiently 
warm  to  mature  crops  of  Indian  corn,  rice,  and  pro- 
bably tobacco. 

"  The  cultivation  of  the  grape  has  attracted  much 
attention  at  the  missions,  among  the  residents  of 
towns,  and  the  rural  population,  and  been  attended 
with  much  success,  wherever  it  has  been  attempted. 


162  HISTORY    AP   CALIFORNIA- 

The  dry  season  secures  the  fruit  from  those  diseases 
which  are  so  fatal  in  the  Atlantic  State*,  vid  it  attains 
rery  great  perfection. 

"  The  wine  made  from  it  is  of  excellent  qruJity,  very 
palatable,  and  can  be  produced  in  any  quantity.  The 
grapes  are  delicious,  and  produced  with  vet)'  little 
labor.  When  taken  from  the  vines  in  bunche*,  and 
suspended  in  a  dry  room  by  the  stems,  they  become 
partially  dry,  retain  their  flavor,  and  remain  several 
weeks,  perhaps  months,  without  decay. 

"Apples,  pears,  and  peaches  are  cultivated  with 
facility,  and  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  all  the 
fruits  of  the  Atlantic  States  can  be  produced  in  great 
plenty  and  perfection. 

"  The  grasses  are  very  luxuriant  and  nutritious, 
affording  excellent  pasture.  The  oats,  which  spring 
up  the  whole  length  of  the  sea-coast,  and  from  forty 
to  sixty  miles  inland,  render  the  cultivation  of  that 
crop  entirely  unnecessary,  and  yield  a  very  great 
quantity  of  nutritious  food  for  horses,  cattle,  and 
sheep.  The  dry  season  matures,  and  I  may  say 
cures,  these  grasses  and  oats,  so  that  they  remain  in 
an  excellent  state  of  preservation  during  the  summer 
and  autumn,  and  afford  an  ample  supply  of  forage. 
While  the  whole  surface  of  the  country  appears 
parched,  and  vegetation  destroyed,  the  numerous  flocks 
and  herds  which  roam  over  it  continue  in  excellent 
condition. 

"  Although  the  mildness  of  the  winter  months,  and 
the  fertility  of  the  soil,  secure  to  California  very 
decided  agricultural  advantages,  it  is  admitted  that 
irrigation  would  be  of  very  great  importance,  ana 
necessarily  increase  the  products  of  the  soil,  in  quan- 
tity and  variety,  during  the  greater  part  of  the  dry 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 


153 


season.  It  should,  therefore,  be  encouraged  by 
government,  in  the  survey  and  disposition  of  the 
public  lands,  as  far  as  practicable. 

"  The  farmer  derives  some  very  important  benefits 
from  the  dry  season.  His  crops  in  harvest  time  are 
never  injured  by  rain ;  he  can  with  perfect  confidence 
permit  them  to  remain  in  his  fields  as  long  after  they 
have  been  gathered  as  his  convenience  may  require ; 
he  has  no  fears  that  they  will  be  injured  by  wet  or 
unfavorable  weather.  Hence  it  is  that  many  who 
have  long  been  accustomed  to  that  climate  prefer  it  to 
the  changeable  weather  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

"  As  already  stated,  the  forests  of  California,  south 
of  latitude  39°,  and  west  of  the  foot-hills  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  are  limited  to  detached,  scattering 
groves  of  oak  in  the  valleys,  and  of  red  wood  on  the 
ridges  and  on  the  gorges  of  the  hills. 

"  It  can  be  of  no  practical  use  to  speculate  on  the 
causes  which  have  denuded  so  large  an  extent  of  coun- 
try, further  than  to  ascertain  whether  the  soil  is  or  is 
lot  favorable  to  the  growth  of  forest  trees. 

"  When  the  dry  season  sets  in,  the  entire  surface  is 
covered  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of.  grass  and  oats, 
which,  as  the  summer  advances,  become  perfectly  dry. 
The  remains  of  all  dead  trees  and  shrubs  also  become 
ii  y.  These  materials,  therefore,  are  very  combustible, 
and  usually  take  fire  in  the  latter  part  of  summer  and 
beginning  of  autumn,  which  commonly  passes  over  the 
whole  country,  destroying,  in  its  course,  the  young 
shrubs  and  trees.  In  fact,  it  seems  to  be  the  same 
process  which  has  destroyed  or  prevented  the  growth 
of  forest  trees  on  the  prairies  of  the  Western  States, 
and  not  any  quality  in  the  soil  unfriendly  to  their 
growth.  12  H* 


154  HISTORY  OP  CALIFORiriA. 

"  The  absence  of  timber  and  the  continuance  of  the 
dry  season  are  apt  to  be  regarded  by  farmers,  on  first 
going  into  the  country,  as  irremediable  defects,  and  as 
presenting  obstacles,  almost  insurmountable,  to  the 
successful  progress  of  agriculture.  A  little  experience 
will  modify  these  opinions. 

"  It  is  soon  ascertained  that  the  soil  Trill  produce 
abundantly  without  manure ;  that  flocks  and  herds 
sustain  themselves  through  the  winter  without  being 
fed  at  the  farm-yard,  and,  consequently,  no  labor  is 
necessary  to  provide  forage  for  them  ;  that  ditches  are 
easily  dug,  which  present  very  good  barriers  for  the 
protection  of  crops,  until  live  fences  can  be  planted, 
and  have  time  to  grow.  Forest  trees  may  be  planted 
with  little  labor,  and  in  very  few  years  attain  a  suffi 
cient  size  for  building  and  fencing  purposes.  Time 
may  be  usefully  employed  in  sowing  various  grain  and 
root  crops  during  the  wet  or  winter  season.  There  is 
no  weather  cold  enough  to  destroy  root  crops,  and, 
therefore,  it  is  not  necessary  to  gather  them.  They 
can  be  used  or  sold  from  the  field  where  they  grow. 
The  labor,  therefore,  required  hi  most  of  the  old 
States  to  fell  the  forests,  clear  the  land  of  rubbish, 
and  prepare  it  for  seed,  may  here  be  applied  to  other 
objects. 

"  All  these  things,  together  with  the  perfect  security 
of  all  crops  in  harvest  time,  from  injury  by  wei 
weather^  are  probably  sufficient  to  meet  any  expense 
which  may  be  incurred  in  irrigation,  or  caused,  for  a 
time,  by  a  scanty  supply  of  timber. 

"  In  the  northern  part  of  the  territory,  above  lati- 
tude 39°,  and  on  the  hills  which  rise  from  the  great 
plain  of  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  to  the  foot 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  the  forests  of  timber  are  beau- 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  165 

tiful  and  extensive,  and  would,  if  brought  into  use,  be 
sufficiently  productive  to  supply  the  wants  of  the 
southern  and  western  portions  of  the  State." 

It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  the  labor  and  attention 
necessary  for  the  improvement  of  the  soil  will  be  given 
to  that  object,  so  long  as  the  continued  discovery 
of  gold  and  other  metals  promise  an  easy  road  to 
wealth.  Many  who  were  prosperously  engaged  in 
agricultural  employments,  in  the  most  fertile  regions, 
have  abandoned  it,  lured  by  the  golden  bait,  and 
shouldered  the  pick  and  shovel  to  try  their  luck  or 
perseverance  at  gold  digging.  The  gardens  and  the 
vineyards  of  Los  Angeles  have  been  deserted  for  the 
barren  hills  and  ravines  where  the  precious  dust 
abounds.  In  this  state  of  things,  California  must 
become  an  extensive  market  for  the  products  of  the 
Atlantic  States  of  the  Union. 

The  extent  and  value  of  the  public  domain,  and 
the  validity  of  the  titles  to  various  tracts  of  land  in 
California,  will,  doubtless,  be  the  cause  of  much  liti- 
gation and  disturbance,  as  the  country  becomes  more 
thickly  settled.  The  relation  in  which  the  claimants  of 
land  granted  to  them  under  the  Mexican  government, 
stand  towards  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
is  clearly  and  fully  set  forth  by  Mr.  King,  in  his  Cali- 
fornia report.  He  says — 

"  It  is  not  known  whether  the  Jesuits  who  founded 
the  mission,  or  their  successors  the  Franciscans,  ever 
did,  or  do  now,  hold  any  title  from  the  Spanish  crown 
to  the  lands  which  they  occupied.  Nor  has  any  in- 
vestigation been  made  to  ascertain  how  far  those 
titles,  if  they  ever  existed,  have  been  invalidated  by 
the  acts  of  the  priests,  or  the  decrees  of  the  Mexican 
government. 


156  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

**  A  superficial  view  of  the  matter  would  be  very  apt 
to  lead  to  the  supposition  that  the  Jesuits,  so  cele- 
brated for  wisdom  and  cunning,  would  not  fail  tc 
secure  that  which,  at  that  time,  would  probably  have 
been  obtained  by  merely  asking  for  it — a  royal  decree, 
granting  to  them  all  the  lands  they  might  require  in 
that  remote  country  for  ecclesiastical  purposes.  There 
have  been  some  intimations  to  that  effect^  but  nothing 
is  distinctly  known.  These  missions  embrace  within 
their  limits  some  of  the  most  valuable  lands  in  the 
Territory,  and  it  is  very  important  that  it  should  be 
ascertained  whether  they  belong  to  the  Government, 
or  may  be  justly  claimed  by  individals. 

"  Most  of  the  land  fit  for  cultivation,  south  of  lati- 
tude 39°,  and  west  of  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento 
and  San  Joaquin,  is  claimed  under  what  purport  to 
be  grants  from  the  Mexican  government. 

"  On  most  of  these  grants,  the  minerals  and  metals 
are  reserved  to  the  government :  conditions  were 
coupled  with  many  of  them  which  have  not  been  com- 
plied with.  In  others,  the  boundaries  described  em- 
brace two  or  three  times  as  much  land  as  the  grant 
conveys. 

"  The  Mexican  law  required  all  grants  made  by  the 
provincial  government,  with  few  exceptions,  to  be 
confirmed  by  the  supreme  government.  The  great 
distance  which  separated  them,  and  the  unfrequent  or 
difficult  means  of  communication,  made  a  compliance 
with  the  law  so  expensive  and  tardy  that  it  came  to  be 
almost  disregarded. 

"  There  were  other  causes  which  led  to  this  neglect. 

"  Previous  to  the  treaty  with  Mexico  and  the  immi- 
gration of  American  citizens  to  that  country,  land 
was  not  regarded  as  of  much  value,  except  for  grazing 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  157 

purposes.  There  was  room  enough  for  all.  Th.3re« 
fore,  the  claimants  or  proprietors  did  not  molest  one 
another,  or  inquire  into  the  validity  of  titles. 

"  These  extensive  grants  are  described  by  natural 
boundaries,  such  as  mountains,  bays,  and  promontories, 
which,  in  many  instances,  might  allow  of  a  variation 
of  several  miles  in  the  establishment  of  a  corner  with 
chain  and  compass. 

"  By  the  treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  the  United 
States  purchased  all  the  rights  and  interests  of 
Mexico  to  and  in  California.  This  purchase  not  only 
embraced  all  the  lands  which  had  not  been  granted 
by  Mexico,  but  all  the  reserved  minerals  and  metals, 
and  also  reversionary  rights  which  might  accrue  to 
Mexico  from  a  want  of  compliance  on  the  part  of  the 
grantees  with  the  conditions  of  their  grants,  or  a  want 
of  perfection  in  the  grants. 

"  It  will  be  perceived  that  this  is  a  subject  of  very 
great  importance,  not  only  to  the  people  of  California, 
but  to  the  United  States,  and  calls  for  prompt  and 
efficient  action  on  the  part  of  the  Government.  It  is 
believed  that  the  appointment  of  competent  commis- 
sioners, fully  empowered  to  investigate  these  titles,  in 
a  spirit  of  kindness  towards  the  claimants,  with 
power  to  confirm  such  titles  as  justice  may  seem  to 
demand,  or  with  instructions  to  report  their  proceed- 
ings and  awards  to  Congress,  for  confirmation  or 
rejection,  will  be  the  best  and  perhaps  the  only  satis- 
factory mode  of  adjusting  this  complex  and  difficult 
question." 

He  also  makes  the  following  observations  and  re- 
eommendations  concerning  the  extent  and  value  of 
the  land,  to  which  the  title  of  the  government  is  un- 
questionable, and  the  best  mode  of  improving  it. 


158  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

"  The  lands  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Territory, 
above  the  39°,  have  not  been  explored  or  granted. 
They  are  supposed  to  embrace  an  area  of  about  twenty 
millions  of  acres,  a  large  portion  of  which  is  doubt- 
less valuable  for  its  timber  and  soil. 

"  Comparatively  few  grants  have  been  obtained  in 
the  great  valley  of  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin. 

"  This  vast  tract,  therefore,  containing,  as  is  esti- 
mated, from  twelve  to  fifteen  millions  of  acres,  belongs 
mostly  to  the  Government.  South  of  this  valley,  and 
west  of  the  Colorado,  within  the  limits  of  California, 
as  indicated  in  her  Constitution,  there  are  said  to  be 
extensive  tracts  of  valuable,  unappropriated  land  ; 
and,  on  investigation,  it  will  probably  appear  that 
there  are  many  of  them  in  detached  bodies,  which 
have  not  been  granted. 

"  I  do  not  speak  of  the  gold  region,  embracing  the 
entire  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  some  five 
hundred  miles  long  and  sixty  miles  broad,  in  connec- 
tion with  the  public  domain,  which  may  be  embraced 
in  the  general  land  system  for  sale  and  settlement, 
for  reasons  which  will  be  hereafter  assigned. 

"The  survey  of  the  public  lands  on  a  system  suited 
to  the  interests  of  the  country  is  a  matter  of  very 
great  importance.  In  the  inhabited  portions  of  the 
Territory,  the  boundaries  of  Mexican  grants,  running 
as  they  do  in  all  directions,  will  render  the  system  of 
surveys  by  parallels  of  latitude  and  longitude  quite 
impracticable. 

"  In  all  parts  of  the  country,  irrigation  is  desirable, 
and  its  benefits  should  be  secured,  as  far  as  possible, 
by  suitable  surveys  and  legal  regulations.  Most  of 
the  valleys  are  watered  by  streams  sufficiently  large 
to  be  rendered  very  useful.  It  would,  therefore, 


HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA  159 

wise  to  lay  off  the  land  in  conformity  to  the   course 
of  the  hills  and  'streams  which  bound  and  drain  the 


"  A  system  of  drainage,  which  would  also  secure 
irrigation,  is  absolutely  necessary  to  give  value  to  the 
great  plain  of  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin. 
This  valley  is  so  extensive  and  level  that,  if  the  rivers 
passing  through  it  were  never  to  overflow  their  banks, 
the  rain  which  falls  in  winter  would  render  the  greater 
portion  of  it  unfit  for  cultivation.  The  foundation  of 
such  a  system  can  only  be  established  in  the  survey 
and  sale  of  the  land. 

"  This  can  be  done  by  laying  out  canals  and  drains, 
at  suitable  distances,  and  in  proper  directions,  and 
by  leaving  wide  margins  to  the  rivers,  that  they  may 
have  plenty  of  room  to  increase  their  channels 
when  their  waters  shall  be  confined  within  them  by 
embankments. 

"  It  would  be  well  also  to  regulate  the  price  of 
these  lands,  so  as  to  meet,  in  some  degree,  the  ex 
pense  of  draining  them. 

"  This  system  would,  when  agriculture  shall  become 
a  pursuit  in  California,  make  this  valley  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  productive  portions  of  the  Union." 

With  regard  to  the  present  state  of  the  commerce 
and  of  the  commercial  resources  of  California,  it  is 
observed,  that  her  resources  are  confined  almost 
entirely  to  the  metallic  wealth  of  the  country,  and  th»t 
euch  a  state  of  things  would  seem  unfavorable  to  an 
extensive  commercial  intercourse.  Undoubtedly,  this 
metallic  wealth  of  itself,  could  not  long  maintain  an 
extensive  commerce  with  the  various  nations  of  the 
earth.  But  when  the  mineral  wealth  begins  to  b« 
developed,  as  it  soon  will,  there  will  be  no  lack  of 


160  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

return  freights  for  vessels  arriving  .nth  supplies. 
The  quicksilver  mines  already  yield  an  ononnous 
profit,  and  will  soon  he  extensively  worked  Respect- 
ing the  present  state  of  the  commerce  of  the  country, 
extent  of  her  resources,  and  facilities  of  communica- 
tion with  the  Atlantic  States  of  the  Union,  and  other 
countries,  Mr.  King's  Report  furnishes  the  following 
account — 

"  Gold  is  the  product  of  the  country,  and  is  imme- 
diately available,  in  an  uncoined  state,  for  all  the 
purposes  of  exchange.  It  is  not  there,  as  in  other 
countries,  where  the  productions  of  the  earth  and  of 
art  are  sent  to  markets — foreign  or  domestic — to  be 
exchanged  for  the  precious  metals,  or  other  articles 
of  value.  There,  gold  not  only  supplies  the  medium 
of  domestic  trade,  but  of  foreign  commerce. 

"  At  first  view,  this  state  of  things  would  seem  to 
be  unfavorable  to  an  extensive  intercourse  with  other 
parts  of  the  world,  because  of  the  want  of  return 
freights  of  home  production  for  the  vast  number  of 
vessels  which  will  arrive  with  supplies. 

"  These  vessels,  however,  making  no  calculation* 
on  return  cargoes,  will  estimate  the  entire  profits  of 
the  voya.ge  on  their  outward  freights,  and  become,  OL 
their  arrival,  willing  carriers  for  a  comparatively  small 
consideration. 

"  This  tendency  in  the  course  of  trade,  it  would 
seem,  must  make  San  Francisco  a  warehouse  for  tht 
supply,  to  a  certain  extent,  of  all  the  ports  of  the 
Pacific,  American,  Asiatic,  and  the  Islands. 

"  Almost  every  article  now  exported  by  them  finds 
a  ready  market  in  California,  and  the  establishment 
of  a  mint  will  bring  there  also  the  silver  bullion, 
amounting  to  more  than  ten  millions  per  annum,  frona 


une  AT  TH»  "DIOOINGS," — SUPPKK  mo. 


HISTOKY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  16^ 

the  west  coast  of  Mexico,  and,  perhaps,  ultimately 
from  Chili  and  Peru,  to  be  assayed  and  coined. 

"  Vessels  bound  round  Cape  Horn,  with  cargoes  foi 
markets  on  the  American  coast  of  the  Pacific,  can,  by 
taking  advantage  of  the  south-east  trade  winds,  and 
'standing  broad-off  the  Cape,'  make  the  voyage  to 
San  Francisco  in  as  short*  a  time  as  they  can  to 
Valparaiso,  or  any  port  south  of  California.  Vessels 
have  sailed  from  our  Atlantic  ports  to  San  Francisco 
in  less  than  one  hundred  days,  and  they  have  been, 
in  more  than  one  instance,  over  one  hundred  and 
twenty  days  in  going  from  Panama  to  San  Francisco. 

"  This  astonishing  difference  in  time  and  distance 
was  caused  by  the  course  of  the  winds,  and  the  gulf- 
stream  of  the  Pacific,  mentioned  in  my  remarks  on  the 
climate  of  California. 

"  The  vessels  from  our  Atlantic  ports  took  advan- 
tage of  the  winds  by  steering  from  the  Cape  as  far 
into  the  Pacific  as  to  be  enabled  to  take  a  course  west 
of  the  gulf-stream  in  sailing  northward,  thus  availing 
themselves  first  of  the  south-east,  then  of  the  north 
east  '  trades,'  and  avoiding  opposing  currents. 

"  The  vessels  from  Panama  were  kept  back  by 
calms,  adverse  winds,  and  currents.  It  will  be  per- 
ceived, therefore,  that  there  can  be  no  inducement  foi 
vessels  bound  round  Cape  Horn,  with  mixed  01 
assorted  cargoes,  to  stop  at  Valparaiso,  Callao,  Guaya- 
quil, or  any  port  on  the  west  coast,  because  the  ex- 
ports of  all  those  places  will  seek  a  market  at  San 
Francisco ;  and  their  supply  of  merchandise,  as  return 
freight,  will  be  delivered  at  less  expense  than  it  can 
be  by  vessels  direct  from  Atlantic  ports,  American  o* 
European.  This  tendency  of  trade  to  concentrate  at 
San  Francisco  will  be  aided  by  the  course  of  exchange. 


162  HISTOBT  OF   CALIFORNIA. 

'*  Gold  dust  is  worth  but  §17  per  ounce  in  Chili.  It 
IB  worth  $18  at  the  United  States  mint.  If,  there- 
fore, a  merchant  of  Valparaiso  has  ten  thousand 
ounces  in  San  Francisco,  received  in  payment  for 
lumber,  barley,  flour,  or  other  produce,  and  desires  an 
invoice  of  goods  from  the  United  States  or  Europe, 
he  will  gain  §10,000  at*  the  outset  by  senuing  his 
gold  to  New  York,  besides  saving  something  on  the 
freight  and  insurance,  and  at  least  one  month's 
interest. 

"  The  countries  on  the  west  coast  of  America  have 
no  exports  which  find  a  market  in  China,  or  other 
parts  of  Asia.  San  Francisco  will,  therefore,  become 
not  only  the  mart  of  these  exports,  but  also  of  the 
products  and  manufactures  of  India,  required  in  ex- 
change for  them,  which  must  be  paid  for,  principally, 
in  gold  coin  or  gold  dust.  Neither  gold  coin  nor  gold 
dust  will  answer  as  a  remittance  to  China.  Gold,  in 
China,  is  not  currency  in  any  shape,  nor  is  it  received 
in  payment  of  import  duties,  or  taxes  on  land,  or  on 
the  industry  of  the  people. 

"  The  value  of  pure  gold-  in  China  is  not  far  from 
§14  the  ounce.  Hence,  the  importer  of  manufactures 
and  products  of  India  into  San  Francisco  will  remit 
the  gold  coin  or  dust  direct  to  New  York,  for  invest- 
ment in  sterling  bills  on  London.  These  bills  will  be 
sent  to  London,  and  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  firm 
in  China  from  whom  the  merchandise  has  been 
received,  and  who,  on  learning  of  the  remittance 
having  gone  forward  to  their  agents,  will  draw  a  six 
months'  sight  bill  for  the  amount,  which  will  sell  in 
China  at  the  rate  of  four  shillings  and  two  pence  or 
three  pence  per  dollar. 

"  I  have  a  statement  before  me  from  one  of  th« 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  168 

most  eminent  merchants  and  bankers  of  New  York, 
who  was  for  many  years  engaged  extensively  in  the 
India  trade,  which  shows  that  the  profit  or  gain  on 
ten  thousand  ounces  of  gold,  thus  remitted,  would 
be  $33,434  44 

And  that  the  loss  on  the  same  quantity, 
sent  direct  to  China,  would  be         .         15,600  00 


Total  difference  in  profit  and  loss  in  favor 

of  the  remittance  to  New  York,       .       $50,034  44 

"  It  will  thus  be  perceived  that  nature  has  so 
arranged  the  winds  and  currents  of  the  Pacific,  and 
disposed  of  her  vast  treasures  in  the  hills  and  moun- 
tains of  California,  as  to  give  to  the  harbor  of  San 
Francisco  the  control  of  the  commerce  of  that  ocean, 
as  far  as  it  may  be  connected  with  the  west  coast  of 
America. 

"  Important  as  the  commerce  of  the  Pacific  un- 
doubtedly is,  and  will  be,  to  California,  it  cannot  now, 
nor  will  it  ever  compare  in  magnitude  and  value  to 
the  domestic  trade  between  her  and  the  older  States 
of  the  Union. 

"  Two  years  ago,  California  did  not  probably  con- 
tain more  than  fifteen  thousand  people.  That  portion 
of  it  which  has  since  been  so  wonderfully  peopled  by 
American  citizens  was,  comparatively,  without  inhabi- 
tants, without  resources,  and  not  supplied  with  the 
common  comforts  of  shelter  afforded  by  a  forest 
country. 

"Notwithstanding  the  great  distances  immigrants 
have  been  compelled  to  travel  to  reach  the  territory, 
more  than  one  hundred  thousand  have  overcome  all 
difficulties  and  spread  themselves  over  its  hills  and 
plains.  They  have  been  supplied  from  distances  ai 


164  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

great  as  they  themselves  have  passed  with  not  only 
the  necessaries,  but  the  comforts  and  many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life.  Houses  have  been  imported  from 
China,  Chili,  and  the  Atlantic  States  of  the  Union. 
All  the  materials  required  in  building  cities  and 
towns  have  been  added  to  the  wants  of  a  people 
so  numerous,  destitute,  and  remote  from  the  sources  of 
supply. 

"  These  wants  will  exist  as  long  as  immigration  con- 
tinues to  flow  into  the  country,  and  labor  employed  in 
collecting  gold  shall  be  more  profitable  than  its  appli- 
cation to  agriculture,  the  mechanic  arts,  and  the  great 
variety  of  pursuits  which  are  fostered  and  sustained 
in  other  civilized  communities. 

"  This  may  be  shown  by  mentioning  the  prices  of  a 
few  articles.  Last  summer  and  autumn,  lumber  was 
sold  in  San  Francisco  at  $300  to  $400  per  thousand 
feet.  At  Stockton  and  Sacramento  City,  at  $500  to 
$600.  At  these  prices,  it  could  be  made  in  the  terri- 
tory, and  many  persons  were  engaged  in  the  business. 
I  perceive,  by  recent  accounts,  that  the  price  had 
fallen  at  San  Francisco  to  $75.  At  this  price,  it 
cannot  be  made  where  labor  is  from  $10  to  $15  per 
day;  and  the  difficulties  attending  its  manufacture 
are  much  greater  than  in  the  Atlantic  States.  Lumber 
can  be  delivered  in  our  large  lumber  markets  for  au 
atzrage  of  the  various  qualities  of  $16,  and  freighted 
to  San  Francisco  for  $24,  making  $40  per  thousand 
feet.  This  price  would  cause  the  manufacture  of  it  in 
California  to  be  abandoned.  We  may  add  $20  per 
thousand,  to  meet  any  increase  of  price  in  the  article 
itself,  or  in  the  freight,  and  the  result  would  be  the 


"  It  is  probable  that  the  demand,  for  several  years 


BISTORT  01  CALIFORNIA  161 

to  come,  will  not  be  less  than  twenty  millions  of  feet 
per  annum,  which,  at  $40  per  thousand,  will  be 
$800,000. 

"  When  California  comes  to  have  a  population  of 
200,000,  which  she  will  have  before  the  close  of  the 
present  year,  she  will  require  nearly  half  a  million 
barrels  of  flour  from  some  quarter,  and  no  country 
can  supply  it  so  good  and  cheap  as  the  old  States  of 
the  Union.  Including  freight  and  insurance,  this 
may  be  set  down  as  an  item  of  about  $5,000,000.  The 
article  of  clothing,  allowing  $20  to  each  person,  would 
be  $4,000,000. 

"  There  is  no  pretension  to  accuracy  in  these  items, 
and  they  may  be  estimated  too  high ;  but  it  is  quite 
as  probable  they  are  too  low. 

"We  have  no  data  on  which  to  found  a  calculation 
of  what  the  value  of  the  trade  between  the  States  east 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  California  will  be  during 
the  current  year.  I  will  venture  the  opinion,  how- 
ever, that  it  will  not  fall  short  of  twenty-five  millions 
of  dollars.  It  may  go  far  beyond  that  sum.  At 
present,  I  can  conceive  no  cause  which  will  retard  or 
diminish  immigration. 

"  If  the  movement  shall  continue  five  years,  our 
commerce  with  that  territory  may  reach  one  hundred 
millions  per  annum.  This  is  doubtless  a  startling 
gum ;  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  we  have  to 
build  cities  and  towns,  supply  machinery  for  mining, 
coal  for  domestic  purposes,  and  steam  navigation,  and 
all  the  multifarious  articles  used  in  providing  the  com- 
forts and  luxuries  of  life,  for  half  a  million  of  people, 
who  will  have  transferred  themselves  to  a  country 
which  is  to  produce,  comparatively,  nothing  except 
viinerals  and  the  precious  metals,  and  whose  pursuits 


166  HISTORY   OP   CAL1/OEHIA. 

will  enable  them  to  purchase,  at  any  cost,  whatevei 
may  be  necessary  for  their  purposes. 

"  It  is  difficult  to  imagine  or  calculate  the  effect 
which  will  be  produced  on  all  the  industrial  pursuits 
of  the  people  of  the  Old  States  of  the  Union,  by 
this  withdrawal  from  them  of  half  a  million  of  pro- 
ducers, who,  in  their  new  homes  and  new  pursuits, 
will  give  existence  to  a  commerce  almost  equal  in 
value  to  our  foreign  trade.  Let  no  one,  therefore, 
suppose  he  is  not  interested  in  the  welfare  of  Cali- 
fornia. As  well  may  he  believe  his  interests  would 
not  be  influenced  by  closing  our  ports  and  cutting  off 
intercourse  with  all  the  world. 

"  The  distance  round  Cape  Horn  is  so  great  that 
bread-stuffs  and  many  other  articles  of  food  deterio- 
rate, and  many  others  are  so  perishable  in  their  nature 
that  they  would  decay  on  the  passage.  This  would 
be  the  case  particularly  with  all  kinds  of  vegetables 
and  undried  fruits.  Until  some  more  speedy  mode 
of  communication  shall  be  established  by  which  pro- 
duce can  be  transferred,  the  farmers  and  planters  of 
the  old  States  will  not  realize  the  full  value  of  this 
new  market  on  the  Pacific. 

"Many  other  important  interests  will  be  kept 
back,  especially  the  consumption  of  coal.  The 
American  steamers,  now  on  that  ocean,  those  on  their 
ray  there,  and  others  shortly  to  be  sent  out,  will  con- 
sume not  far  from  one  hundred  thousand  tons  of  coal 
per  annum.  The  scarcity  of  wood  in  California  will 
bring  coal  into  general  use  as  fuel,  as  soon  as  it  can 
be  obtained  at  reasonable  prices.  Suppose  there  may 
be,  three  years  hence,  forty  thousand  houses,  which 
shall  consume  five  tons  each  per  annum.  This,  with 
the  steamers,  would  be  a  consumption  of  three  hundred 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  If 

thousand  tons.  If  delivered  at  $20  per  ton,  it  would 
compete  successfully  with  the  coal  from  Vancouver's 
Island  and  New  Holland,  and  amount  to  §6,000,000. 

"  The  construction  of  a  railroad  across  the  Isthmua 
of  Panama  would  secure  the  market  for  those  articles 
against  all  competition. 

"  Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  demand  for  them 
from  the  prices  paid  in  San  Francisco  last  autumn. 
Coal  was  sold  at  $60  to  $100  per  ton ;  potatoes  $16 
per  bushel ;  turnips  and  onions  for  25  to  62£  cents 
each ;  eggs  from  $10  to  $12  per  dozen. 

"The  distance  from  Chagres  to  New  York  has 
recently  been  run  in  seven  days.  The  same  speed 
would  carry  a  steamboat  from  Panama  to  San  Fran- 
cisco in  ten  days.  AHow  three  days  to  convey  freight 
across  the  Isthmus,  on  a  railway,  and  both  passengers 
*nd  freight  will  be  conveyed  from  New  York  to  San 
Francisco  in  twenty  days. 

"  This  celerity  of  movement  would  secure  for 
A.merican  produce  the  entire  market  of  California. 
Sailing  vessels  may  be  successfully  employed  between 
our  Atlantic  and  gulf  ports  and  the  terminus  of  the 
railway  on  this  side  of  the  Isthmus ;  snd  propeller* 
from  Panama  to  San  Francisco.  These  latter  vessels 
will  be  found  peculiarly  suited  to  that  trade ;  they 
can  use  their  steam  through  the  calms  of  the  Bay  of 
Panama,  and  against  head-winds  and  currents  going 
north,  and  their  sails  with  favorable  winds  and  cur- 
rents coming  south. 

"  these  modes  of  conveyance,  in  connection  with 
the  railroad  across  the  Isthmus,  would  be  sufficiently 
expeditious  and  economical  to  turn  the  tide  of  com- 
merce, between  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  States  of  the 
Union,  into  that  channel.  The  tendency  of  our 


168  HISTORY   OP   CAL1POKNIA. 

commerce  on  the  Pacific  to  promote  the  employment 
of  ocean  steamers  is  of  much  importance  as  connected 
with  the  defence  of  our  extensive  line  of  coast  from 
latitude  32°  to  49°,  the  protection  of  the  whale 
fishery,  and  other  branches  of  trade  on  that  ocean. 
The  establishment  of  a  line  of  heavy  steamers  to 
China  would  promote  all  these  objects ;  increase  our 
intercourse  with  that  country,  and  probably  be  the 
means  of  opening  communications  with  Japan.  Money 
wisely  employed  in  promoting  these  objects,  it  is 
believed,  would  add  more  to  the  power  and  prosperity 
of  the  country  than  its  expenditure  on  any  general 
system  of  fortification  at  the  present  prices  of  labor 
and  materials.  There  is  one  point,  however,  of  such 
east  importance  that  no  time  should  be  lost  in  taking 
the  necessary  steps  to  render  it  perfectly  impregnable 
— that  is,  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco. 
Qn  the  strength  of  the  works  which  may  be  erected 
to  defend  that  passage  will  depend  the  safety  of  Cali- 
fornia in  time  of  war  with  a  maritime  power.  Permit 
a  hostile  fleet  to  cast  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  San 
Francisco,  and  the  country  would  be  virtually  con- 
quered. 

"  The  coast  has  not  been  surveyed,  nor  has  its  out- 
line been  correctly  ascertained.  There  are  many 
rocks  above  and  below  the  water-line,  and  small 
islands  not  mentioned  or  indicated  on  any  chart,  which 
render  navigation  near  the  land,  especially  at  night, 
extremely  dangerous. 

"  An  accurate  survey  of  the  coast,  to  commence  at 
the  most  important  points,  the  construction  of  light- 
houses, and  the  placing  of  buoys  in  proper  positions, 
are  objects  of  much  importance,  and,  it  is  not  doubted, 
will  attract  the  early  attention  of  Government  " 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  169 

We  come  now  to  that  which  has  built  up  so  rapidly 
this  empire  of  the  Pacific — the  metallic  and  mineral 
wealth  of  California.  As  to  the  extent  of  the  region, 
and  indications  of  the  existence  of  the  gold,  together 
with  the  attendant  geological  formations,  the  state- 
ments of  Mr.  King's  report  will  not  be,  nor  have  not 
been,  gainsayed;  but  as  to  the  origin  of  the  gold, 
whether  hi  combination  with  quartz,  or  mixed  with 
the  sands  of  the  ravines  and  streams,  various  opinions 
have  been  expressed  by  those  who  have  spent  consi- 
derable time  in  working  and  observing  the  different 
formations.  That  due  weight  may  be  given  to  both 
of  the  principal  theories,  we  extract  the  observation 
and  opinion  of  a  person  who  favors  the  idea  of  the 
gold  having  been  scattered  over  the  country,  by  a 
tremendous  volcanic  eruption. 

"The  gold  found  in  every  placer  in  California 
bears  the  most  indubitable  marks  of  having,  at  some 
time,  been  in  a  molten  state.  In  many  parts  it  is 
closely  intermixed  with  quartz,  into  which  it  has  evi- 
dently been  injected  while  in  a  state  of  fusion ;  and  I 
have  myself  seen  many  pieces  of  gold  completely 
coated  with  a  black  cement  that  resembled  the  lava 
of  a  volcano.  The  variety  of  form,  which  the  placer 
gold  of  California  has  assumed,  is  in  itself  sufficient 
evidence  of  the  fact,  that  it  has  been  thrown  over  the 
surface  while  in  a  melted  state.  The  earliest  compa 
risons  of  the  California  gold  were  to  pieces  of  molten 
lead  dropped  into  water.  The  whole  territory  of  the 
gold  region  bears  the  plainest  and  most  distinct  marks 
of  being  vt)lcariic.  The  soil  is  of  a  red,  brick  color,  in 
many  places  entirely  barren,  and  covered  with  a  flinty 
rock,  or  pebble,  entirely  parched  in  the  summer,  and 
during  the  rainy  season  becoming  a  perfect  mire.  The 
I  13 


170  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

formation  of  the  hills,  the  succession  of  gorges,  tht 
entire  absence  of  fertility  in  many  portions,  distinctly 
exhibit  the  result  of  a  great  up-heaving  during  past 
times.  But  there  is  one  phenomenon  in  the  mining 
region  which  defies  all  geological  research  founded 
upon  any  other  premises  than  volcanic  formation. 
Throughout  the  whole  territory,  so  generally  that  it 
has  become  an  indication  of  the  presence  of  gold,  a 
white  slate  rock  is  found,  and  is  the  principal  kind  of 
rock  in  the  mining  region.  This  rock,  instead  of 
lying  as  slate  rock  does  in  other  portions  of  the  earth, 
in  horizontal  strata,  is  perpendicular,  or  nearly  so ; 
seeming  to  have  been  torn  up  from  its  very  bed  and 
left  in  this  position.  On  the  banks  of  the  Middle 
Fork  are  several  excavations,  which  can  only  be  ac- 
counted for  upon  the  supposition,  that  they  were  at 
some  time  volcanic  craters.  There  is  one  of  these  on 
the  mountain  side,  about  five  miles  below  the  "  Big 
Bar ;"  from  which,  running  down  to  the  base  of  the 
mountains,  is  a  wide  gorge  entirely  destitute  of  ver- 
dure, while  the  earth  around  it  is  covered  with  shrub- 
bery. This,  I  am  fully  convinced,  was  the  bed  of  the 
lava  stream  that  was  thrown  up  from  the  crater ;  and 
in  searching  for  gold  at  the  very  foot  of  it,  I  found 
several  pieces  entirely  covered  with  the  black  cement 
or  lava,  of  which  I  have  previously  spoken.  From 
all  these  evidences,  I  am  fully  satisfied  that  at  some 
early  date  in  the  world's  history,  by  some  tremendous 
volcanic  eruption,  or  by  a  succession  of  them,  gold, 
which  was  existing  in  the  form  of  ore,  mixed  with 
quartz  rock,  was  fused  and  separated  from  its  sur- 
rounding substances,  and  scattered  through  every 
plain,  hill,  and  valley,  over  an  immense  territory.  By 
\t»  own  gravity,  and  the  continual  washing  of  th« 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  171 

r aflas,  it  sank  into  the  earth  until  it  reached  a  rock, 
or  hard,  impenetrable  clay.  It  still  continued  wash 
mg  and  sliding  down  the  hill-side,  until  it  reached  the 
rivers  or  ravines,  and  in  the  former  was  washed  along 
with  its  current  until  it  settled  in  some  secure  place 
in  their  beds,  or  was  deposited  upon  their  banks ;  and 
in  the  latter  rested  among  the  crevices  of  rocks."* 

The  following  from  Mr.  King's  report,  presents  the 
opposite  theory,  with  its  evidence  in  full.  The  two 
accounts  are  at  variance  both  in  regard  to  fact  and 
theory.  But  that  of  Mr.  King,  who  enjoyed  every 
facility  of  obtaining  information  from  observation,  and 
from  the  statements  of  intelligent  miners,  is  considered 
most  reliable,  in  respect  to  matters  of  fact,  and,  there- 
fore, of  more  dependence  in  forming  a  theory.  He 
says — 

".The  principal  formation,  or  substratum,  in  these 
hills,  is  talcose  slate;  the  superstratum,  sometimes 
penetrating  to  a  great  depth,  is  quartz.  This,  how- 
ever, does  not  cover  the  entire  face  of  the  country, 
but  extends  in  large  bodies  in  various  directions — is 
found  in  masses  and  small  fragments  on  the  surface, 
and  seen  along  the  ravines  and  in  the  mountains, 
orerhanging  the  rivers,  and  in  the  hill-sides  in  its 
original  beds.  It  crops  out  in  the  valleys  and  on  the 
tops  of  the  hills,  and  forms  a  striking  feature  of  the 
entire  country  over  which  it  extends.  From  innumer- 
able evidences  and  indications,  it  has  come  to  be  the 
universally  admitted  opinion,  among  the  miners  and 
intelligent  men  who  have  examined  this  region,  that 
the  gold,  whether  in  detached  particles  and  pieces,  or 
in  veins,  was  created  in  combination  with  the  quartz. 

»  Six  Months  in  the  Gold  Mines,  by  E.  Gould  Buffum. 


172  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA, 

Gold  La  not  found  on  the  surface  of  the  count,  j 
presenting  the  appearance  of  having  been  thrown  up 
and  scattered  in  all  directions  by  volcanic  action.  It 
is  only  found  in  particular  localities,  and  attended  by 
peculiar  circumstances  and  indications.  It  is  found 
in  the  bars  and  shoals  of  the  rivers ;  in  ravines,  and 
in  what  are  called  the  *  dry  diggings.' 

"  The  rivers,  in  forming  their  channels,  or  breaking 
their  way  through  the  hills,  have  come  in  contact  with 
the  quartz  containing  the  gold  veins,  and  by  constant 
attrition  cut  the  gold  into  fine  flakes  and  dust,  and  it 
is  found  among  the  sand  and  gravel  of  their  beds  at 
those  places  where  the  swiftness  of  the  current  re- 
duces it,  in  the  dry  season,  to  the  narrowest  possible 
limits,  and  where  a  wide  margin  is,  consequently, 
left  on  each  side,  over  which  the  water  rushes,  during 
the  wet  season,  with  great  force. 

"  As  the  velocity  of  some  streams  is  greater  than 
that  of  others,  so  is  the  gold  found  in  fine  or  coarse 
particles,  apparently  corresponding  to  the  degree  of 
attrition  to  which  it  has  been  exposed.  The  water 
from  the  hills  and  upper  valleys,  in  finding  its  way  to 
the  river,  has  cut  deep  ravines,  and,  wherever  it  has 
come  in  contact  with  the  quartz,  has  dissolved  or 
crumbled  it  in  pieces. 

"  In  the  dry  season,  these  channels  are  mostly  with- 
out water,  and  gold  is  found  in  the  beds  and  margins 
of  many  of  them  in  large  quantities,  but  in  a  much 
coarser  state  than  in  the  rivers  ;  owing,  undoubtedly, 
to  the  moderate  flow  and  temporary  continuance  of 
the  current,  which  has  reduced  it  to  smooth  shapes, 
not  unlike  pebbles,  but  has  not  had  sufficient  force  to 
cut  it  into  flakes  or  dust. 

"  The  dry  diggings  are  places  where  quartz  contain 


HISTORY  OP  CALIFORNIA.  17fc 

ing  gold  has  cropped  out,  and  been  disintegrated, 
crumbled  to  fragments,  pebbles,  and  dust,  by  the 
action,  of  water  and  the  atmosphere.  The  gold  has 
been  left  as  it  was  made,  in  all  imaginable  shapes ; 
in  pieces  of  all  sizes,  from  one  grain  to  several  pounds 
in  weight.  The  evidences  that  it  was  created  in 
combination  with  quartz  are  too  numerous  and  striking 
to  admit  of  doubt  or  cavil.  They  are  found  in  com- 
bination in  large  quantities. 

"  A  very  large  proportion  of  the  pieces  of  gold 
found  in  these  situations  have  more  or  less  quartz  ad- 
hering to  them.  In  many  specimens,  they  are  so  com- 
bined they  cannot  be  separated  without  reducing  the 
whole  mass  to  powder,  and  subjecting  it  to  the  action 
of  quicksilver. 

"  This  gold,  not  having  been  exposed  to  the  attrition 
of  a  strong  current  of  water,  retains,  in  a  great 
degree,  its  original  conformation. 

"These  diggings,  in  some  places,  spread  over  val- 
leys of  considerable  extent,  which  have  the  appear- 
ance of  an  alluvion,  formed  by  washings  from  the  ad- 
joining hills,  of  decomposed  quartz  and  slate  earth, 
and  vegetable  matter. 

"  In  addition  to  these  facts,  it  is,  beyond  doubt, 
true  that  several  vein-mines  have  been  discovered  in 
the  quartz,  from  which  numerous  specimens  have  been 
taken,  showing  the  minute  connection  between  the 
gold  and  the  rock,  and  indicating  a  value  hitherto 
unknown  in  gold-mining. 

"  These  veins  do  not  present  the  appearance  of 
places  where  gold  may  have  been  lodged  by  some 
violent  eruption.  It  is  combined  with  the  quartz,  in 
all  imaginable  forms  and  degrees  of  richness. 

"  The  rivers  present  very  striking,  and,  it  would 


174  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

seem,  conclusive  evidence  respecting  the  quantity  of 
gold  remaining  undiscovered  in  the  quartz  veins.  It 
is  not  probable  that  the  gold  in  the  dry  diggings,  and 
that  in  the  rivers — the  former  in  lumps,  the  latter  in 
dust — was  created  by  different  processes.  That  which 
is  found  in  the  rivers  has  undoubtedly  been  cut  or 
worn  from  the  veins  in  the  rock,  with  which  their 
currents  have  come  in  contact.  All  of  them  appear 
to  be  equally  rich.  This  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  a 
laboring  man  may  collect  nearly  as  much  in  one  river 
as  he  can  in  another.  They  intersect  and  cut  through 
the  gold  region,  running  from  east  to  west  at  irregu- 
lar distances  of  fifteen  to  twenty,  and  perhaps  some 
of  them  thirty,  miles  apart. 

"  Hence  it  appears  that  the  gold  veins  are  equally 
rich  in  all  parts  of  that  most  remarkable  section  of 
country.  Were  it  wanting,  there  are  further  proofa 
of  this  in  the  ravines  and  dry  diggings,  which  uni- 
formly confirm  what  nature  so  plainly  shows  in  the. 
rivers." 

It  is  an  interesting  inquiry — what  was  the  amount 
of  the  golden  treasure  collected  during  the  years  1848 
and  '49  ?  The  satisfaction  of  this  inquiry  will  enable 
us  to  form  some  faint  conception  of  the  value  of  the 
gold  region,  and  the  dependence  which  may  be  placed 
upon  its  yield  for  a  commercial  return.  Premising 
that  the  gold  was  first  discovered  in  May,  1848,  and 
that  intelligence  of  it  was  not  received  in  the  United 
States  till  late  in  the  following  autumn,  Mr.  King,  in 
his  report,  proceeds  in  making  an  estimate  of  the 
quantity  accumulated  till  the  close  of  1849  : 

"No  immigration  into  the  mines  could,  therefore, 
have  taken  place  from  tne  old  States  in  that  year. 
The  number  of  miners  was,  consequently,  limited  to 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  175 

the  population  of  the  territory,  some  five  hundred  men 
from  Oregon — Mexicans,  and  other  foreigners,  who 
happened  to  be  in  the  country,  or  came  into  it  during 
the  summer  and  autumn — and  the  Indians,  who  were 
employed  by  or  sold  their  gold  to  the  whites. 

"It  is  supposed  there  were  not  far  from  five  thou- 
sand men  employed  in  collecting  gold  during  that  sea- 
son. If  we  suppose  they  obtained  an  average  of  one 
thousand  dollars  each — which  is  regarded  by  well 
informed  persons  as  a  low  estimate — the  aggregate 
amount  will  be  $5,000,000. 

"  Information  of  this  discovery  spread  in  all  direc- 
tions during  the  following  winter ;  and,  on  the  com- 
mencement of  the  dry  season  in  1849,  people  came 
into  the  territory  from  all  quarters — from  Chili,  Peru, 
and  other  States  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  South  Ame- 
rica; from  the  west  coast  of  Mexico,  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  China,  and  New  Holland. 

"  The  immigration  from  the  United  States  came  in 
last,  if  we  except  those  who  crossed  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama,  and  went  up  the  coast  in  steamers,  and  a 
few  who  sailed  early  on  the  voyage  round  Cape  Horn. 

"  The  American  immigration  did  not  come  in  by 
sea,  in  much  force,  until  July  and  August,  and  that 
overland  did  not  begin  to  arrive  until  the  last  of  Au 
gust  and  first  of  September.  The  Chilenos  and  Mexi- 
cans were  early  in  the  country.  In  the  month  of  July, 
it  was  supposed  there  were  fifteen  thousand  foreigners 
in  the  mines.  At  a  place  called  Sonorariian  Camp,  it 
was  believed  there  were  at  least  ten  thousand  Mexi- 
cans. They  had  quite  a  city  of  tents,  booths,  and 
log-cabins ;  hotels,  restaurants,  stores,  and  shops  of 
all  descriptions,  furnished  whatever  money  could  pro- 
cure. Ice  was  brought  from  the  Sierra,  and  ice 


176  HISTORY  OP   CALIFORNM. 

creams  added  to  numerous  other  luxuries.  An  ia- 
closure  made  of  the  trunks  and  branches  of  trees, 
and  lined  with  cotton  cloth,  served  as  a  sort  of  am- 
phitheatre for  bull-fights.  Other  amusements,  charac- 
teristic of  the  Mexicans,  were  to  be  seen  in  all  direc- 
tions. 

"  The  foreigners  resorted  principally  to  the  southern 
mines,  which  gave  them  a  great  superiority  in  nume- 
rical force  over  the  Americans,  and  enabled  them  t\ 
take  possession  of  some  of  the  richest  in  that  part  of 
ihe  country.  In  the  early  part  of  the  season,  the 
Americans  were  mostly  employed  on  the  forks  of  the 
American,  and  on  Bear,  Uba,  and  Feather  Rivers. 
As  their  numbers  increased,  they  spread  themselves 
over  the  southern  mines,  and  collisions  were  threat- 
ened between  them  and  the  foreigners.  The  latter, 
however,  for  some  cause,  either  fear,  or  having  satis- 
fied their  cupidity,  or  both,  began  to  leave  the  mines 
late  in  August,  and  by  the  end  of  September  many 
of  them  were  out  of  the  country. 

"  It  is  not  probable  that,  during  the  first  part  of 
the  season,  there  were  more  than  five  or  six  thousand 
Americans  in  the  mines.  This  would  swell  the  whole 
number,  including  foreigners,  to  about  twenty  thou- 
sand the  beginning  of  September.  This  period  em- 
braced about  half  the  season,  during  which  gold  may 
be  successfully  collected  in  the  rivers. 

"  Very  particular  and  extensive  inquiries  respect- 
ing the  daily  earnings  and  acquisitions  of  the  miners 
lead  to  the  opinion  that  they  averaged  an  ounce  per 
day.  This  is  believed  by  many  to  be  a  low  estimate ; 
but,  from  the  best  information  I  was  able  to  procure, 
I  am  of  opinion  it  approaches  very  near  actual  re- 
sults. The  half  of  the  season,  up  to  the  1st  of  Sep- 


HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA  177 

tcmber,  would  give  sixty-five  working  days,  and  to 
each  laborer,  at  $16  per  ounce,  $1,040.  If,  there- 
fore we  assume  $1,000  as  the  average  collected  by 
each  laborer,  we  shall  probably  not  go  beyond  the  mark. 
"  This  would  give  an  aggregate  of  $20,000,000  for 
the  first  half  of  the  season— $15,000,000  of  which 
was  probably  collected  by  foreigners.  During  the 
last  half  of  the  season,  the  number  of  foreigners  was 
very  much  diminished,  and,  perhaps,  did  not  exceed 
five  thousand.  At  this  time,  the  American  immigra- 
tion had  come  in  by  land  and  sea,  and  the  number  of 
our  fellow-citizens  in  the  mines  had,  as  was  estimated, 
increased  to  between  forty  and  fifty  thousand.  They 
were  most  of  them  inexperienced  in  mining,  and  it  is 
probable  the  results  of  their  labors  were  not  so  great 
as  has  been  estimated  for  the  first  part  of  the  season, 
and  experienced  miners.  Assuming  that  the  average 
of  half  an  ounce  per  day  ought  to  be  considered  as 
reasonable,  it  would  give  an  aggregate  of  about 
$20.000,000.  If  from  this  we  deduct  one-fourth  on 
account  of  the  early  commencement  of  the  wet  sea 
son,  we  have  an  estimate  of  $15,000,000;  at  least 
five  of  which  was  collected  by  foreigners,  who  pos- 
sessed many  advantages  from  their  experience  in 
mining  and  knowledge  of  the  country. 

"  These  estimates  give,  as  the  result  of  the  opera- 
tions in  the  mines  for  1848  and  1849,  the  round  sum 
of  $40,000,*000  ;  one-half  of  which  was  probably  col- 
lected and  carried  out  of  the  country  by  foreigners. 

From  the  best  information  I  could  obtain,  I  am  led 
to  believe  that  at  least  $20,000,000  of  the  $40,000,000 
were  taken  from  the  rivers,  and  that  their  richness 
has  not  been  sensibly  diminished,  except  in  a  few 
locations,  which  had  early  attracted  large  bodies  of 


178  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

miners.  This  amount  has  principally  been  taken 
from  the  northern  rivers,  or  those  which  empty  into 
the  Sacramento ;  the  southern  rivers,  or  those  which 
flow  into  the  San  Joaquin,  having  been,  compara- 
tively, but  little  resorted  to  until  near  the  close  of  the 
last  season.  These*  rivers  are,  however,  believed  by 
those  who  have  visited  them,  to  be  richer  in  the  pre- 
cious metal  than  those  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
gold  region." 

Adopting  the  hypothesis  that  the  gold  found  in 
these  streams  had  been  cut  or  worn  away  from 
the  veins  in  the  quartz  through  which  they  have 
forced  their  way,  and  considering  the  fact  that  they 
are  all  equally  productive,  we  may  conjecture  what  a 
vast  amount  of  treasure  remains  undisturbed  in  the 
veins  which  run  through  the  masses  of  rock  over  a 
space  of  forty  or  fifty  miles  wide,  and  near  five  hun- 
dred miles  long.  Such  an  estimate  would  almost 
defy  our  belief;  yet,  if  the  hypothesis  is  true,  there 
is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  value  of  the  gold  which 
that  region  will  yield,  is  almost  beyond  calculation. 

The  quicksilver  mines  of  California  are  believed  to 
be  numerous,  extensive,  and  very  valuable.  The 
largest  and  most  profitable  one  yet  opened  is  situated 
near  San  Jose",  and  belongs  to,  or  is  claimed  by,  Mr. 
Forbes,  of  Tepic,  in  Mexico.  The  cinnabar  ore,  which 
produces  the  quicksilver,  is  easily  procured,  and 
machinery  has  been  put  in  operation,  wkich  enables 
the  proprietor  to  make  an  extensive  profit.  The  value 
of  the  quicksilver  mines,  by  being  so  near  the  gold 
region,  is  considerably  increased;  quicksilver  being 
almost  indispensable  in  gold  mining. 

Extensive  beds  of  silver,  iron,  and  copper  ores  are 
believed  to  exist  in  the  territory,  but  their  existence 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  ITS 

and  value  is  not  accurately  ascertained,  the  allure- 
ments held  out  by  the  continued  success  of  the  gold- 
miners  and  the  continued  discovery  of  new  and  profit- 
able placers  being  too  strong  to  permit  atj.y  search  for 
the  baser,  but  more  useful  metals.  Respecting  the 
propriety  of  the  establishment  of  a  mint  in  California, 
Mr.  King  makes  the  following  observations — 

"  I  have  already  alluded  to  the  propriety  of  estab- 
lishing a  mint  in  California.  This  is  important  in 
many  respects.  At  this  time,  there  is  not  coin  in  the 
country  to  supply  a  currency.  Much  difficulty  is 
experienced  in  procuring  enough  to  pay  the  duties  on 
imported  goods.  The  common  circulating  medium  is, 
therefore,  gold  dust,  which  is  sold  at  $15  50  to  $16 
per  ounce.  In  the  mines,  it  is  frequently  sold  much 
lower.  The  miners,  the  laboring  men,  are  the 
sufferers  from  this  state  of  things. 

"  Those  who  purchase  and  ship  gold  to  the  Atlantic 
States  make  large  profits :  but  those  who  dig  lose  what 
others  make. 

"  I  have  estimated  that  there  will  be  $50,000,000 
collected  during  the  current  year.  At  $16  per  ounce, 
that  sum  will  weigh  3,125,000  ounces. 

"  Gold,  at  the  United  States  mint,  is  worth  $18 
per  ounce,  making  a  difference  in  value  on  that  quan- 
tity, between  San  Francisco  and  New  York,  of 
$6,250,000,  which  would  be  saved  to  the  miners  bj 
the  establishment  of  a  mint. 

"  I  have  also  suggested  its  importance  as  a  means 
of  promoting  and  increasing  our  trade  with  the  west 
coast  of  Mexico  and  South  America. 

"It  is  not  doubted  that  the  construction  of  a  rafl 
way  across  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  and,  perhaps,  the 
establishment  of  other  lines  of  communication  between 


180  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

the  two  oceans,  will  give  to  the  products  and  manu- 
factures of  the  older  States  of  the  Union  command  of 
the  market  of  California  to  the  exclusion,  in  a  great 
degree,  of  those  of  the  west  coast. 

"A  mint  will,  therefore,  become  of  the  utmost 
importance,  to  give  such  marketable  value  to  silver 
bullion  as  to  enable  the  merchants  of  those  countries 
to  keep  up  and  increase  the  intercourse  with  our  prin- 
cipal ports  on  the  Pacific. 

"  The  silver  bullion  shipped  to  Europe  from  the 
west  coast  of  Mexico  amounts  to  more  than  ten 
millions  of  dollars  per  annum.  From  the  countries 
on  the  west  coast  of  South  America,  probably  an 
equal  quantity.  That  from  Mexico  goes  to  pay  for 
European  importations  into  her  ports  on  the  Atlantic 
side. 

"  A  market  at  San  Francisco  for  this  bullion  will 
be  the  means  of  substituting  American  and  Chinese 
fabrics  for  those  of  European  manufacture  in  all  those 
countries.  This  will  greatly  increase  the  trade  between 
China  and  California." 

A  bill  for  the  establishment  of  a  mint  at  San 
Francisco  was  introduced  into  Congress,  during  the 
present  session,  (1849-50)  and  passed  both  houses ; 
thus  securing  to  California  the  advantages  mentioned 
in  the  above  extract,  by  Mr.  King. 

We  have  thus  given  a  complete  description  of 
California,  in  respect  to  population,  climate,  soil, 
productions,  commercial  resources,  and  metallic  and 
mineral  wealth,  as  accurate  and  comprehensive  as  the 
most  authentic  sources  could  furnish,  or  as  could  be 
ascertained  at  the  present  time.  Although  the  terri- 
tory already  contains  a  large  population  and  has  pro- 
duced a  great  amount  of  treasure  in  the  short  dura 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  181 

tion  of  its  existence ;  although  it  is  already  a  large 
State,  which  has  sprung  into  existence,  as  it  may  be 
termed,  there  is  every  evidence  that  this  is  but  the 
"beginning  of  the  end."  "  The  greatest  is  behind." 
To  what  such  commercial  facilities,  mineral  and  metal- 
lic resources,  and  an  active  and  progressive  population 
will  conduct  California,  it  is  easy  to  imagine.  They 
will  build  up  a  State,  which,  although  the  member  of 
a  confederacy,  will  be  powerful  enough  to  maintain 
itself,  independent  of  the  aid  to  be  derived  from  the 
Union.  Its  ports  will  be  the  resort  of  the  vessels  of 
all  nations,  and  its  valleys  and  hill-sides  will  become 
the  homes  of  an  agricultural  population,  reaping  the 
rich  reward  of  their  toil.  Canals  and  railroads,  the 
children  of  enterprise,  will  soon  intersect  the  territory, 
transport  the  riches  of  one  section  to  another,  and 
increase  the  social  communication  of  the  inhabitants. 
Such  a  State  will  add  greatly  to  the  power  of  the 
confederated  republic,  and  form  an  additional  stimulus 
to  the  rapid  filling  up  of  the  vast  territory  situated 
between  California  and  her  sister  States. 


CHAPTER  XL 

THB   DIFFERENT    ROUTES   TO    CALIFORNIA,    AND   THBIS 

RESPECTIVE   CHARACTERS. 

THB  various  routes  taken  by  the  emigrants  to  Cali- 
fornia have  afforded  almost  as  much  matter  for  discus- 
sion aa  the  territory  itself.  The  shortest  and  most 
tr»  relied  route  is  that  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of 


182  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

Panama  ;  and  of  this  we  shall  first  give  a  description, 
with  recommendations  to  travellers,  and  the  experi- 
ence of  some  who  have  taken  that  route  to  the  "  land 
of  promise." 

Both  steam  and  sailing  vessels  are  constantly  en- 
gaged in  carrying  freight  and  passengers  from  the 
principal  ports  of  the  Atlantic  States  to  Chagres,  the 
principal  port  on  the  eastern  coast  of  the  Isthmus. 
Tickets  which  will  carry  passengers  to  Chagres,  and, 
after  crossing  the  Isthmus,  from  Panama  to  San  Fran 
cisco,  can  be  purchased  in  New  York,  from  whence  to 
Chagres,  the  passage  generally  occupies  about  eight 
days,  and  has  been  accomplished  in  seven.  The 
harbor  of  Chagres  is  a  small  but  good  one,  for  vessels 
of  less  than  two  hundred  tons  burden.  It  is  protected 
by  hills  on  all  sides  and  towards  the  ocean,  by  a  beet- 
ling cliff,  jutting  out  into  the  sea,  on  the  summit  of 
which  is  the  ancient  and  somewhat  dilapidated  castle 
of  San  Lorenzo.  At  the  base  of  this  cliff  is  the  chan- 
nel which  forms  an  entrance  to  the  town.  Ignorance 
of  fhis  fact  caused  the  wreck  of  several  of  the  vessels 
which  went  from  the  United  States  to  Chagres  soon 
after  the  receipt  of  the  news  of  the  gold  discovery. 
The  following  is  a  description  of  Chagres  and  its 
inhabitants  in  the  early  part  of  1849.  It  has  since 
improved  considerably,  on  account  of  the  travel  across 
the  Isthmus. 

"  The  first  thing  which  struck  our  wondering  gaze 
on  entering  Chagres,  was  its  bee-hive  appearance.  It 
is  a  strange,  fantastic,  and  oddish-looking  town,  situ- 
ated in  a  deep,  dark  hollow  or  cove.  It  consists  of 
some  forty  or  fifty  huts,  with  pointed  palm-thatched 
roofs,  and  reed  walls.  Nor  were  the  innumerable 
buzzards  which  were  flying  about  or  resting  on  the 


BISTORT   OF  CALIFORNIA.  188 

houses,  together  with  the  energetic  gesticulation  of  the 
natives  when  in  conversation,  as  we  drew  near,  at  all 
calculated  to  lessen  the  picturesque  effect  of  a  first 
view.  The  surrounding  country  was  any  thing  but 
devoid  of  interest  and  beauty.  All  had  a  strange, 
equatorial  look ;  while  the  green  hills  around,  clothed 
with  rich  tropical  verdure,  and  the  graceful  and 
shadowy  palm  and  coeoanut,  with  other  strange  fan- 
tastic trees,  together  with  the  ruins  of  the  large  old 
Spanish  castle,  on  the  heights  above  the  town,  gave 
to  the  scenery  a  very  beautiful  and  picturesque  aspect. 
"  Most  of  us  were  soon  ashore  and  rambling  through 
the  town.  We  landed  at  the  beach,  on  some  logs, 
which,  during  the  rainy  season,  are  necessary  to  pre- 
serve the  pedestrian  from  a  quagmire,  in  the  midst  of 
dense  foliage  that  was  here  luxuriant  to  the  water's 
edge,  surrounded  by  about  thirty  canoes  and  some 
forty  or  fifty  huge  black  fellows,  mostly  in  the  garb  in 
which  nature  arrayed  them.  We  passed  on  beneath 
a  burning  sun,  which  in  the  shade  brought  the  ther- 
mometer to  90°  of  Fahrenheit.  A  majority  of  the 
natives  are  black,  but  some  are  of  a  deep  copper  or 
mulatto  color.  The  thick  lips  and  woolly  head  of  the 
African ;  the  high  cheek-bones,  straight  hair,  and 
dogged  look  of  the  Indian  ;  and  the  more  chisled  fsa- 
tures  and  finely  expressive  eyes  of  the  Spaniard,  are 
all  here,  though  often  so  blended,  that  it  is  difficult  to 
say  to  which  race  they  chiefly  owe  their  origin.  In 
truth  they  are  a  mongrel  race,  but  generally  have  the 
most  magnificent,  large,  dark,  expressive  eyes  I  have 
ever  seen.  These,  when  in  conversation,  which  is 
almost  continual,  they  use  to  some  purpose,  while  the 
incessant  rapid  clatter  of  their  tongues,  and  their 

violent  gesticulations   and  grimaces,  are  often  quite 
14 


184  HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

ludicrous.  The  females,  some  of  whom  have  rathwi 
pretty  faces,  and  particularly  fine  eyes,  were  dressed 
out  in  the  most  tawdry  finery,  with  divers  furbelows, 
flounces,  and  ruffles,  encircling  the  shoulders,  where 
the  dress  begins,  and  terminating  somewhere  about 
or  below  the  knee.  Some  of  the  younger  ones  were 
entirely  model  artiste,  at  least  so  far  as  their  clothing 
was  concerned,  but  the  forms  of  most  were  rather 
indifferent.  Many  were  sitting  or  loungmg  about  the 
doors  or  in  the  cabins,  eating  tamarinds,  oranges,  and 
other  fruit,  surrounded  by  hairless  dogs,  pigs,  naked 
children,  turkey-buzzards,  and  some  otner  little  live 
stock,  forming  altogether  quite  a  congruous  and  homo 
geneous  mixture. 

"  In  a  country  like  this,  where  the  temperature  is 
so  nearly  alike  throughout  the  year,  there  is  a  natural 
tendency  to  indolence  and  sloth,  and  it  is  remarkable 
what  an  influence  the  climate  exerts  on  the  character 
of  the  people.  Here  nature  wit!}  a  bounteous  hand 
spontaneously  fructifies  the  earth,  and  the  natives, 
with  few  wants  to  supply,  pluck  the  fiuit  and  are 
satisfied ;  and  with  few  necessities  for  enterprise  and 
industry,  such  is  their  love  of  indolence,  that  all  the 
charms  of  existence  appear  to  consist  in  dreaming 
away  life  in  quiet  and  repose.  Basking  beneath  a 
tropical  sun,  or  listlessly  reclining  on  nature's  downy 
couch,  days — years — are  passed  in  drowsy  languor 
and  supine  sloth. 

"  But  the  influx  of  men  from  rougher  climes  and 
bleaker  regions  will  probably  exercise  a  salutary  influ- 
ence, by  showing  them  the  advantages  of  industry 
and  patient  toil.  Already  they  begin  to  perceive 
this,  to  some  extent,  and  though  such  dear  lovers  of 
money,  that  in  doting  a  bargain  they  will  jabber  their 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  186 

patois,  or  bad  Spanish,  with  uncouth  gesticulations,  for 
half  a  day,  the  majority  of  them  are  unwilling  to  make 
any  extra  hodily  effort  to  procure  it ;  but  when  per- 
suaded by  liberal  offers  to  undertake  a  task,  it  is 
astonishing  with  what  dogged  perseverance  they  will 
often  pursue  it,  what  weights  they  can  support,  and 
what  toil  they  can  endure."* 

It  is  recommended  that  passengers  from  the  States 
should  remain  as  short  a  time  in  Chagres  as  possible. 
The  exhalations  from  its  malarious  atmosphere  are 
extremely  prejudicial  to  the  health  of  the  new-comer. 

From  Chagres,  the  travellers  proceed  in  canoes  up 
the  Chagres  river,  to  Gorgona,  a  distance  of  about 
fifty  miles,  or  eight  miles  further,  to  Cruces.  The 
canoes  are  mostly  owned  by  the  natives,  and  the 
greatest  care  is  necessary  to  get  them  to  keep  their 
agreement.  The  usual  plan  by  which  their  services  are 
secured,  is  this :  A  bargain  is  made  with  the  owner  of  the 
canoe,  stipulating  for  the  necessary  captain  and  poles- 
men,  and  then  some  of  the  party  going  up  the  river  in 
the  canoe,  take  possession  of  it,  and  maintain  it,  while 
one  goes  before  the  alcalde,  and  pays  the  whole  amount 
agreed  upon,  taking  a  receipt  in  Spanish.  This  pre- 
caution is  rendered  necessary  \  the  proprietor  of  the 
canoe  returning  the  money  to  those  who  engaged  it, 
on  finding  he  can  obtain  a  greater  price  from  others. 
At  the  present  time,  vessels,  steam  and  sailing,  are 
being  constructed  at  Chagres,  for  the  passage  up  the 
river,  the  increase  of  the  Isthmus  travel  rendering  it 
both  necessary  and  profitable. 

TRe  beauty  of  the  country  through  which  the 
Chagres  river  flows  has  been  the  theme  of  frequent 
praise.  Its  banks  are  filled  with  all  the  luxuriant 

*  Diary  of  a  Physician  in  California,  by  James  L.  Tyson.  M.  0 
16* 


186  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

verdure  which  tropical  climes  produce.  The  tarn* 
rind,  the  date,  the  pomegranate,  the  plantain,  the 
banana,  the  cocoanut,  the  lime,  the  citron,  and  the 
pine  apple,  are  abundant.  Flowers  of  every  hue  send 
forth  their  fragrance  upon  the  air,  rendering  its  sweet- 
ness delightful  to  the  senses.  Orange  groves  are 
numerous,  and  the  fruit  is  as  plentiful  as  the  apple  of 
the  Southern  States  of  the  Union.  Mountains,  hills, 
and  valleys  diversify  the  prospect,  while  the  ear  is 
filled  with  the  melodious  notes  of  thousands  of  birds, 
native  of  the  tropics,  their  music  contrasting  with  th° 
discordant  noise  of  the  parrots,  mackaws,  and  chat- 
tering monkeys.  Such  a  scene  is  worth  the  travel  to 
the  Isthmus,  and  the  toils  sometimes  endured  in  cross- 
ing it. 

Several  small  towns  and  ranches  are  scattered 
along  the  banks  of  the  river.  The  first  is  Gatun,  ten 
or  twelve  miles  above  Chagres.  About  ten  miles 
further  is  Dos  Hermano ;  further  on,  Ptiro  Blanco, 
and  PalenquiM  last,  about  two-thirds  of  the  way  to 
Gorgona.  These  are  stopping  places  for  the  canoes, 
where  refreshments  and  supplies  can  be  procured. 

At  night,  parties  that  land  are  compelled  to  build 
fires  to  keep  off  the  wild  beasts  and  venomous  ser- 
pents, which  abound  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  river, 
and  to  disperse  the  myriads  of  insects  with  which  the 
air  teems.  Alligators  of  a  large  size,  are  to  be  seen 
lying  on  the  banks  in  the  day  time,  basking  in  the 
BUD.  Above  Palenquilla  are  some  powerful  currents, 
which  it  requires  considerable  toil  to  move  against, 
The  river  is  in  some  places  a  half  a  mile  wide,  and 
in  others,  not  more  than  thirty  yards.  The  boatmen 
are  exceedingly  indolent,  and  require  constant  driving 
and  coaxing  to  keep  them  moving ;  but  sometimes, 


HISTOBY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  187 

when  they  are  prevailed  upon  to  go  to  work,  they  will 
exhibit  an  endurance  and  perseverance  almost  aston- 
ishing. They  have  been  frequently  known  to  work 
at  the  poles,  pushing  the  boat  along,  for  twenty-four 
hours,  without  rest.  The  difficulty  of  ascending  the 
Chagres  river,  may  be  appreciated,  when  it  is  stated, 
that  although  Gorgona  is  only  fifty  miles  from  the 
town  of  Chagres,  it  frequently  occupies  as  high  as 
forty  hours  for  the  canoes  to  reach  that  place.  Stop- 
pages are,  of  course,  numerous,  both  on  account  of 
the  tiring  of  tl}e  boatmen  and  for  refreshment. 

"  Gorgona  is  located  upon  a  bend  of  the  river, 
from  which  a  fine  view  of  the  river  and  valley  is  ob- 
tained. The  valley  is  here  about  five  miles  wide,  the 
mountains  rising  from  it  in  successive  ranges,  and 
with  increasing  elevations.  It  is  an  admirable  loca- 
tion for  a  town,  and  must  become  one  of  considerable 
importance — especially  should  it  be  on  the  route  of 
the  proposed  railroad  across  the  Isthmus.  It  has  a 
far  better  appearance  than  Chagres ;  the  streets  are 
laid  out  with  some  pretensions  to  regularity.  It  is 
the  head  of  canoe  navigation,  and  steamboats  of  light 
draft  can  approach  it.  The  dwellings  or  huts  are  of  a 
better  class  than  those  at  Chagres ;  they  have  an  un- 
finished Catholic  church  that  looks  rude  and  ragged, 
but  nevertheless,  it  is  a  church.  The  carrying  trade 
is  now  almost  the  only  business  pursued  by  its  inha- 
bitants ;  what  they  did  before  the  gold  of  California 
began  to  invite  a  swarm  of  adventurers  across  the 
Isthmus,  to  the  town  is  more  than  can  be  divined. 
Theirs  must  have  been  as  near  a  pastoral  or  primitive 
life,  as  any  that  can  be  seen  in  our  day.  The  soil  is 
teeming  with  the  evidences  of  its  richness — inviting 
the  hand  of  man  tc  its  cultivation,  by  showing  what 


188  HISTORY   OF   CALIF03&IA. 

it  is  capable  of  doing  without  it — but  it  is  undis- 
turbed,  save  in  a  few  stinted  spots  of  less  size  than 
our  ordinary  kitchen  gardens.  All  else  is  left  to 
spontaneous  production.  They  have  herds  of  cattle ; 
these,  with  game,  flesh,  fish,  and  fowl,  easily  pro- 
cured, must  have  been  their  principal  sustenance.  But 
it  is  with  them  as  with  thr-  rest  of  the  world,  wants 
increase  with  the  facilities  for  gratifying  them.  They 
are  rapidly  changing  their  habits  since  they  have  an 
opportunity  to  earn  money  and  luxuries,  that  they 
have  been  strangers  to,  are  brought  within  theii 
cr-eans  and  their  reach. 

During  the  dry  season,  which  lasts  from  December 
till  June,  the  road  from  Gorgona  to  Panama  is  gene- 
rally preferred ;  at  other  times,  the  canoes  proceed 
up  the  river  about  eight  miles,  to  the  town  of  Cruces, 
and  take  the  road  leading  from  that  place  to  Panama. 
Each  of  these  routes  shall  receive  our  consideration, 
and  their  respective  advantages  and  disadvantages  be 
set  forth.  It  is  advisable,  that  travellers  should  rest 
as  short  a  time  as  possible  at  Gorgona,  as  accommoda- 
tions are  of  very  poor  character.  Mules  and  a  small 
species  of  mustang  are  easily  obtained,  but  the  mule 
is  far  preferable.  Some  travellers  find  it  a  great 
relief  to  walk  a  part  of  the  distance,  and,  with  that 
intention,  parties  hire  mules  or  horses  in  the  propor 
tion  of  two  to  every  three  travellers.  The  baggage 
will  have  to  be  placed  under  the  charge  of  the  native 
muleteers,  but,  from  their  observed  habits  of  filching 
wherever  they  get  a  chance,  it  is  advisable  not  to 
trust  them  out  of  sight.  There  are  several  placoa 
upon  the  route  where  refreshments  can  be  procured ; 
but  most  of  the  travellers  start  at  daylight  from  Gor- 
and push  directly  through  to  Panama,  in  one 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  189 

day.  This  is  the  best  mode  of  proceeding,  if  the 
fatigue  is  found  to  be  endurable ;  for  it  is  above  all 
things  important  that  in  such  a  climate  too  great 
fatigue  should  be  avoided.  The  following  account  of 
a  journey  to  Panama  by  way  of  the  Gorgona  roac?, 
and  descriptions  of  the  road  is  from  a  recently  pub- 
lished narrative : 

"  We  arose  from  cot  and  hammock,  flea-bitten,  and 
but  little  refreshed,  though  ready  to  start  on  what  we 
deemed  our  perilous  journey  across  the  Isthmus. 
Hour  after  hour  elapsed,  till  the  most  pleasant  part 
of  the  day  was  gone,  and  the  sun  shone  with  torrid 
fervor  ;  but  still  our  mules  were  not  ready,  our  host 
keeping  them  back,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  to  obtain 
a  higher  rate.  Annoyed  beyond  endurance  at  tho 
delay,  and  the  tardy  movements  of  the  worthless  set 
around  us,  we  scoured  the  town,  and  at  length  euc- 
ceeded  in  obtaining  four  miserable-looking  little  ani- 
mals at  eight  dollars  a-piece.  Another  was  still 
wanting,  and,  by  an  offer  of  ten  dollars,  I  at  length 
succeeded  in  getting  a  tolerably  good  one.  Though 
so  wretched  in  appearance,  we  found  these  animals 
capable  of  great  endurance. 

"  Glad  that  the  vexatious  and  irritating  events  of 
the  morning,  which  the  cupidity  and  dogged  laziness 
of  these  slothful  mongrels  had  produced,  were  happily 
ended,  we  hastily  swallowed  a  cup  of  bad  coffee,  handed 
by  a  damsel  nearly  nude,  and  mounting  our  Rosinantes, 
we  started  at  a  brisk  canter,  beneath  a  broiling  sun. 
while  our  guide,  all  stripped  and  on  foot,  trotted  off 
in  advance. 

"  For  the  first  mile,  the  way  was  very  pleasant  over 
a  nearly  level  plain,  at  the  termination  of  which  thoro 
were  stronger  indications  of  rougher  riding,  for  we 


)90  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

soon  began  to  descend  a  nearly  perpendicular  preci- 
pice, the  only  pass,  down  which  was  a  narrow  mule- 
way,  where,  step  by  step,  these  animals  had  worn  a 
passage,  over  rocks,  loose  stones,  sand  and  mud.  We 
at  length  reached  the  bottom  of  the  ravine,  and,  cross- 
ing a  brook,  which  in  some  parts  was  a  wide  and  deep 
chasm,  we  commenced  a  toilsome  ascent  on  the  oppo- 
site side,  over  a  similar  pathway,  surrounded  by 
scenery  of  wild  and  unknown  plants  and  trees,  on  the 
mountain  and  glen,  through  whose  dense  foliage  a 
breath  could  scarcely  penetrate.  The  fervent  atmo- 
sphere produced  an  almost  stifling  sensation,  while  the 
deathlike  silence  that  reigned  throughout,  disturbed 
only  by  the  audible  footfall  of  our  animals,  as  we 
slowly  wound  around  the  tortuous  ascent,  made  the 
journey  peculiarly  toilsome  and  solitary. 

"  For  the  first  few  miles  I  followed  closely  at  the 
heels  of  our  guide,  and  would  often  pause  and  turn  to 
examine  the  apparently  almost  impassable  route  I  had 
traversed,  watch  the  progress  of  the  rest  of  the  party, 
and  wonder  at  the  security  with  which  their  cautiously- 
stepping  and  sagacious  animals  would  gradually  over- 
come seemingly  insurmountable  obstacles.  These 
mustangs  and  mules,  early  trained  to  travel  '  in  the 
wild  mountain  track,'  are  capable  of  great  endurance, 
and  certainly  possess  much  more  knowledge  than  most 
of  their  riders,  when  exercised  upon  what  they  consider 
the  safest  and  surest  stepping-place,  and  best  mode 
of  proceeding.  I  urged  mine  repeatedly,  to  make  him 
choose  a  path,  which  to  all  appearance  was  preferable 
to  his  own,  but  to  no  purpose.  He  would  turn  half 
round,  and  in  a  slow,  solemn  way,  put  his  nose. to  the 
ground,  and  looking  keenly  about  the  .place,  would 
cautiously  put  one  foot  forward,  then  another,  then  a 


•OVO&IAK8   DBY-W 


HISTORY    DP  CALIFORNIA.  191 

third  and  a  fourth,  when,  poised  on  all  drawn  under 
him,  and  close  together,  he  would  have  a  hetter  oppor- 
tunity for  further  inspection,  which  having  satisfactorily 
accomplished,  another  equally  deliberate  and  cautious 
step  would  be  made  as  before,  down  what,  to  all 
appearance,  was  an  impracticable  route,  and  so  jn, 
until  the  difficulty  was  overcome.  Finding  that  he 
knew  so  much  better  than  I  did,  how,  where,  and 
when  he  ought  to  travel,  I  invariably  threw  the  reina 
to  him,  when  hazardous  passes  or  other  obstacles  were 
to  be  surmounted.  The  result  was  always  fortunate. 
One  or  two  of  the  party,  however,  were  satisfied  that 
'  horses  should  not  have  their  own  way,'  and  whipped 
and  spurred  theirs  to  such  an  extent,  to  compel  com- 
pliance with  their  better  judgment,  that  the  issue  was 
as  I  had  anticipated.  One  was  thrown  over  his  horse's 
head  into  a  mud  puddle,  and  the  other,  with  horse  and 
all,  stuck  fast  in  a  quagmire,  from  which  it  was  not 
easy  to  extricate  him.  Should  these  lines  ever  meet 
the  eye  of  those  worthy  gentlemen,  I  trust  they  will 
pardon  the  liberty  I  have  taken  in  recording  here  their 
feats  of  muleship.  It  is  true  that  mine  stumbled  on 
some  loose  stones  once  or  twice,  in  descending  hills, 
and  my  efforts  alone  with  the  reins  saved  both  him 
and  me  from  a  fall ;  but  for  unmistakeable  judgment 
in  traversing  these  perilous  mountain-passes,  I  must 
admit  he  proved  himself  the  better  of  the  two. 

"  Thus  we  trudged  on,  often  over  difficult,  and  some- 
times dangerous  ways.  Occasionally  we  would  have 
to  go  up  or  down,  as  the  case  might  be,  for  nearly 
half  a  mile  at  one  fr'ime,  through  a  chasm  or  sluice, 
probably  worn  in  tie  mountains  by  the  torrents  oi 
water  that  descend  during  the  rainy  season.  Thes* 
gully-holes  are  often  ten  and  fifteen  feet  deep  through- 


192  HISTOBT  OF   CALIFOKNIA. 

out  their  entire  extent,  and  the  passes  are  so  narrow, 
AS  barely  to  admit  of  one  horse  or  mule  passing 
through  at  a  time ;  the  rider,  to  avoid  a  severe  contu- 
sion, or  probably  a  broken  limb,  in  turning  the  sharp 
angles,  being  compelled  to  place  his  feet  as  near  the 
animal's  head  as  possible,  and  in  this  manner  he  can 
ride  in  perfect  safety,  though  some  little  management 
is  requisite  to  maintain  an  equilibrium.  Before  enter- 
ing these  defiles,  the  muleteers  shout  at  the  top  of 
their  voices,  and  stop  for  a  short  time,  continuing  the 
shouting  as  they  advance,  to  apprize  others  at  the 
opposite  extremity  of  the  pass,  that  the  way  is  already 
occupied.  This  is  necessary  and  impoi  tant,  for  if  two 
on  horseback  were  to  meet  in  one  of  these  narrow 
but  crooked  paths,  the  scene  between  the  Quaker  and 
Dandy  would  have  to  be  re-enacted,  for  many  news- 
papers would  have  to  be  read,  and  many  segars 
smoked,  before  either  could  turn  out  of  the  way  for 
bis  neighbor. 

"  Continuing  on,  we  passed  two  or  tnree  hackalag, 
or  huts,  by  the  way,  and  after  several  brief  but  pleasant 
stoppages  at  the  various  brooks  and  mountain-rills,  we 
at  length  came  out  on  a  beautiful  undulating  meadow, 
where  picturesque  villas  and  shadowy  trees  decked  the 
verdant  plain,  and  soon  thereafter  the  towers  of 
Panama  were  in  view.  The  sun  was  just  setting  as  we 
entered  the  suburbs,  and  a  flood  of  purple  glory  rested 
on  the  sky,  reflected  back  by  the  sparkling  waters  of 
the  Pacific,  which  brought  the  distant  mountains  into 
bolder  relief,  and  cast  a  deeper  shadow  through  the 
twilight  groves.  Half  an  hour's  ride  over  the  paved 
atreet,  brought  us  to  the  city,  which  we  entered  at  the 
'  Gorgona  gate,'  passing  through  a  heavy  stone  arch 


HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA.  193 

way,  supporting  a  cupola,  in  which  hangs  the  alarm 
bell  mounted  by  a  cross."* 

Such  is  the  character  of  the  Gorgona  road  to  Pana- 
ma. With  regard  to  the  Crucis  road,  we  may  observe 
that  it  is  a  common  practice,  for  most  of  those  who 
take  the  Gorgona  road  in  going  to  Panama,  on  their 
return,  to  take  the  Crucis  road,  no  doubt  hoping  that 
the  difficulties  and  toil  to  be  encountered  are  less  than 
those  they  know  are  to  be  met  with  upon  the  other. 
The  following  account  of  a  return  journey  by  way  of 
the  Crucis  road,  with  the  full  character  of  the  route, 
is  given  in  the  journal  of  a  returned  adventurer. 

"I  had  passed  three  days  in  Panama;  and,  feeling 
desirous  of  continuing  my  journey,  I  had  no  sooner 
concluded  this  arrangement,  than  I  got  my  raule  sad- 
dled, and  my  box  and  carpet-Lag  packed  in  the  regular 
Isthmus  fashion.  The  mule  I  obtained,  like  most  of 
his  fellows,  was  little  better  than  a  mere  skeleton ; 
but  still  it  was  the  best  I  could  procure,  and  I  was 
fain  to  content  myself  with  it.  Some  of  my  friends 
endeavored  to  persuade  me  that  it  was  better  to  pro- 
ceed on  foot ;  but  I  knew  the  muddy  and  stony  nature 
of  the  road,  and  thought  it  infinitely  more  comfortable 
to  ride  a  slow  animal  than  subject  myself  to  the  suffer- 
ings that  I  must  experience  from  these  inconveniences. 

"  The  negro,  I  had  hired,  brought  to  my  hotel  a 
long  frame  of  bamboo,  with  a  sort  of  basket  at  the 
end,  into  which  he  crammed  my  luggage.  This  frame 
had  two  straps  fastened  to  the  upper  part  of  it, 
through  one  of  which  he  slipped  his  arm,  whilst  he 
passed  the  other  over  his  left  shoulder,  and  attached 
it  under  the  latter  to  the  frame  which  was  now  on 
his  back.  This  contrivance  not  only  effectually 

•  Diary  of  a  Physician  in  California,  by  James  L.  Tyson,  M.  D. 


194  5ISTOBY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

secures  the  load  in  its  place,  but  protects  the  shoulders 
of  the  bearer  from  the  continual  friction  they  would 
otherwise  undergo. 

"  A  large  party  had  preceded  me ;  but  I  felt  no 
anxiety  to  overtake  it,  as  there  was  little  or  no  danger 
of  my  encountering  violence  on  the  route.  I  was 
armed  with  a  good  revolving  pistol,  in  the  event  of 
any  thing  of  the  sort  presenting  itself;  so  that,  all 
things  considered,  I  was  just  as  well  pleased  to  be 
left  to  my  own  society. 

"I  proceeded  on  my  route  with  my  sable  attendant, 
and  found  the  commencement  pleasant  enough  travel- 
ling, the  road  for  some  distance  being  paved  with 
large  and  regularly  cut  stone.  This,  however,  soon 
terminated  in  abundance  of  sand ;  the  route  still  con- 
tinuing dry,  aad  comparatively  easy  to  what  I  had 
expected  to  find  it.  Soon  after  we  had  quitted  the 
paved  road,  the  negro  stopped  and  asked  my  permis- 
sion to  take  a  fevr  things  to  his  family,  who  lived  in  a 
small  hut  to  oar  left.  Apprehensive  that  he  was 
meditating  an  escape  with  my  luggage,  I  replied  that 
J  had  no  objection,  provided  he  would  leave  his 
basket  in  my  care.  He  accordingly  took  the  frame 
off  his  back,  and,  separating  a  small  bundle  contain- 
ing provisions  from  my  baggage,  he  took  his  departure. 
I  took  care,  however,  to  keep  him  in  sight  and  saw 
him  enter  a  wretched-looking  bamboo-hut  at  a  little 
distance  from  the  route.  He  remained  absent  a  con- 
siderable time ;  and,  having  paid  him  half  his  wages 
in  advance,  according  to  the  usual  custom  with  these 
people,  who  are  exceedingly  distrustful,  I  began  to 
fear  that  he  was  about  to  desert  me,  and  therefore 
called  out  lustily,  until  at  last  I  saw  him  reluctantly 
nuerge  from  the  hut,  and  make  his  way  towards  me. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  196 

These  negroes  being  constantly  in  the  habit  of  desert- 
ing travellers  on  the  route,  and  stealing  their  bag- 
gage whenever  the  opportunity  presents  itself,  I  was 
particularly  careful  not  to  lose  sight  of  my  attendant. 
"  A  few  miles  further  on,  I  again  found  myself  on 
a  stone  road,  said  to  have  been  paved  by  Cortes  to 
facilitate  the  passage  of  his  troops  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific  coast ;  and,  although  I  have  travelled 
rougher  and  steeper  routes  in  Lower  California,  I  can- 
not say  that  I  have  ever  encountered  such  a  combina- 
tion of  petty  difficulties  and  annoyances.  The  road 
is,  for  the  greater  part,  barely  wide  enough  to  admit 
of  one  mule  passing  with  its  packs,  the  sides  forming 
steep  embankments,  composed  chiefly  of  rich  clay, 
out,  in  many  places,  of  large  rocks,  through  which  a 
passage  had  evidently  been  cut  with  great  labor. 
But  little  of  the  country  can  be  seen  on  either  side, 
owing  to  the  height  of  these  embankments  ;  but  now 
and  then  the  traveller  obtains  a  glimpse  o?  dense 
thickets,  and  occasionally  of  undulating  hills,  the 
summits  of  which  are  covered  with  a  deep  perennial 
green.  The  recent  rains  having  poured  in  torrents 
down  the  steep  sides  of  the  road,  every  cavity  and 
crevice  was  filled  with  water  and  mud.  Owing  to  the 
nature  of  the  soil,  and  the  constant  traffic  across  the 
route  from  the  time  it  was  originally  cut  through, 
innumerable  stones  and  flags  had  sunk  considerably 
below  the  level  of  their  original  position ;  whilst  a 
few  had  retained  their  places,  as  if  to  serve  as  step- 
ping-stones to  the  traveller  over  the  wet-  and  mud. 
It  is  a  task  of  incessant  and  wearying  exertion,  how- 
ever, even  for  those  who  are  mounted  on  mules,  tc 
avoid  floundering  into  some  of  these  pitfalls  and  }uag 
at  every  step  thej  make. 


196  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

"  The  mules  themselves  are,  as  I  have  already  stated, 
BO  worn-out,  and  broken-down,  that  it  requires  the 
utmost  vigilance  and  care  on  the  part  of  their  riders 
to  prevent  them  dropping,  and  precipitating  them  into 
the  mire.  In  order  to  guard  as  much  as  possible 
against  this  contingency,  whenever  ladies  travel  this 
route,  they  are  obliged  to  discard  the  side-saddle,  and 
resort  to  a  less  feminine  style  of  equitation.  I  overtook 
a  party  of  about  twenty  persons  on  the  road,  amongst 
whom  was  a  married  lady  on  her  way  to  the  States ; 
and  I  watched  her  rather  curiously,  to  observe  how 
she  got  over  the  difficulties  that  beset  her.  Being 
fortified  with  that  article  of  male  attire,  the  figurative 
possession  of  which  is  said  to  denote  domestic  ascen- 
dency, she  thought  it  incumbent  upon  her,  I  suppose, 
to  display  all  the  courage  and  nerve  that  should 
properly  be  encased  in  it.  Several  times,  when  I 
fancied  that  both  she  and  her  mule  were  on  the  point 
of  being  capsized,  she  recovered  herself  with  ad- 
mirable presence  of  mind,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the 
risk  exceedingly. 

"  As  to  myself,  I  floundered  on  as  well  as  I  could 
with  a  mule  tottering  beneath  me  from  sheer  exhaus- 
tion, and  sinking  every  minute  up  to  his  knees  in 
mud.  It  seemed  to  me  that  we  were  making  little  or 
no  progress ;  and  I  became  thoroughly  fired  and  dis- 
heartened. I  do  not  know  any  temptation,  however 
powerful,  that  would  again  induce  me  to  encounter 
the  never-ending  series  of  difficulties  and  annoyances 
that  laid  in  wait  for  me  at  every  step  ;  and  I  must 
candidly  own,  that  even  the  force  of  female  example, 
of  which  I  had  so  merry  a  specimen  before  me,  did 
not  at  all  shame  me  into  a  less  impatient  enduranc* 
of  them. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  197 

"  The  negroes  whom  I  met  on  their  way  to  and 
from  Panama  excited  my  astonishment,  from  the 
amount  of  physical  exertion  which  they  seemed 
capable  of  undergoing.  With  their  legs  and  feet  bare, 
and  nothing  but  a  cloth  around  their  loins,  they  car- 
ried enormous  'burdens  on  their  backs,  stepping  from 
stone  to  stone  with  wonderful  strength  and  dexterity. 
These  poor  creatures  must  lead  the  most  wretched 
and  laborious  of  all  the  painful  modes  of  existence  tc 
which  their  race  is  condemned ;  and  not  even  long 
habit,  or  their  peculiar  physical  construction,  can  di- 
vest it  of  its  distressing  character  in  the  eyes  of  a 
stranger.  They  all  bear,  on  their  hard  and  wrinkled 
faces,  the  stamp  of  overtaxed  strength ;  but  they 
seemed  content  with  their  lot,  and  will,  doubtless, 
regret  the  formation  of  a  better  route,  as  tending  to 
depreciate  the  value  of  their  services.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  toilsome  and  laborious  nature  of  their  occupa- 
tions, however,  the  carriers  of  Panama  are  the  hardi- 
est and  most  muscular  race  to  be  seen  here ;  for  the 
rest  of  the  population,  both  white  and  black,  are  of 
comparatively  sickly  and  diminutive  appearance. 

"  Moving  somewhat  like  a  ship  in  a  storm,  rising 
and  sinking  alternately  at  stern  and  bow,  surmounting 
first  one  huge  stone,  then  a  deep  mud  hole,  then 
another  stone,  and  then  a  small  lake,  my  mule  and  my- 
self at  last  reached  Crucis  in  the  evening,  the  whole 
distance  traversed  not  being  above  twenty  miles  "* 

The  town  of  Crucis  is  a  place  very  similar  to  Gor- 
gona,  but  not  so  large.  The  houses  are  built  of  cane 
and  plastered  with  mud.  No  attention  is  given  to 
arrangement,  and  but  a  small  portion  is  so  constructed 

•'Personal  Adventures  in  California,  by  W.  Redmond  Ryam. 


198  HISTORf  OF   CALIFORNIA. 

as  to  bear  any  resemblance  to  a  street.  The  climata 
is  unhealthy,  and  travellers  from  the  United  States 
make  as  short  a  stay  there  as  possible.  Doubtless, 
with  the  increase  of  travel,  the  character  of  the  town 
and  its  accommodations  will  improve ;  but  the  heat 
and  humidity  of  the  atmosphere,  particularly  just 
after  the  rainy  season,  cause  a  great  deal  of  injury  to 
the  health  of  people  from  the  United  States,  and  will 
prevent  any  considerable  settlement  of  Anglo-Saxons 
in  the  town. 

Panama,  the  terminus  of  the  varied  and  difficult 
route  across  the  Isthmus,  is  situated  on  the  shore  of 
an  extensive  and  beautiful  bay.  It  contains  about 
eight  thousand  inhabitants,  most  of  whom  are  negroes. 
Being  one  of  the  old  Spanish  towns,  upon  the  decline 
of  the  Spanish  power,  the  place  fell  into  decay.  The 
horises  are  generally  of  stone  or  brick,  two  and  three 
stories  in  height,  whitewashed  or  covered  with  a  coat 
of  plaster,  and  are  invariably  surrounded  by  a  bal- 
ccny  protected  from  sun  and  rain  by  the  roofs  of  the 
houst?s  extending  over  them.  The  town  is  regularly 
ai  ranged,  the  strait  and  narrow  streets  intersecting 
ea»ch  .>ther  at  right  angles.  The  substantial  character 
of  thr?  buildings  as  well  as  the  evidences  of  neglect 
and  decay,  strike  the  traveller  at  the  same  timec  A 
wall  -was  built  by  the  Spaniards,  around  the  portion 
of  tho  town  nearest  the  bay,  but  at  least  one  half  of 
the  population  reside  beyond  its  limits,  and  it  is  in  a 
dilapidated  state.  A  venerable,  decayed,  but  still 
imposing  cathedral ;  a  grand  plaza,  or  open  common 
— a  general  characteristic  of  Spanish  built  towns; 
several  churches,  partly  in  ruins ;  the  ruins  of  the 
College  of  Jesuits,  which  cover  a  large  extent,  and  of 
two  monasteries,  of  which  the  walls  and  bells  alone 


HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA.  199 

remain ;  and  the  frowning  walls  and  towers  of  the 
battery,  fronting  the  bay,  are  the  principal  features 
of  the,  town  of  Panama.  Since  the  commencement 
of  the  emigration  to  California,  a  number  of  Ameri- 
cans have  established  hotels  and  eating-houses  in  the 
town,  aad  good  accommodations  are,  therefore,  to  be 
obtained  by  travellers. 

The  atmosphere  at  Panama  is  particularly  injurious 
to  people  from  the  northern  climes,  and  great  care 
must  be  taken  by  travellers  during  their  stay  at  that 
place.  It  is  best  to  avoid  eating  fruit  altogether ;  but, 
if  indulged  in,  it  should  be  in  very  inconsiderable 
quantities.  Exposure  to  the  mid-day  sun  is  a  fre- 
quent cause  of  sickness  among  the  travellers,  and 
should  be  avoided,  as  well  as  exposure  to  the  rain. 
During  the  rainy  season,  the  vomito  is  often  prevalent 
among  the  inhabitants  of  Panama,  and  is  generally  a 
fatal  disease;  but  there  is  a  great  deal  less  travel 
across  the  Isthmus  during  that  season,  on  account  of 
the  sickliness  of  the  climate  and  the  difficulties  of  the 
route.  A  sort  of  bilious  fever  and  dysentery  are  the 
most  common  forms  of  disease  among  travellers  from 
the  north  ;  but  both  may  be  avoided  by  proper  care. 

From  Panama,  steamships  of  superior  size  and 
accommodation,  convey  passengers  to  San  Francisco. 
Starting  from  the  front  of  the  city,  the  beautiful  bay, 
with  its  semi-circular  shores  skirted  with  green  foliage 
and  inclosed  with  high  mountains,  and  the  lofty 
islands  of  Flamingo,  Perico,  Taboga,  and  others, 
present  themselves  to  the  view.  At  the  island  of  Ta- 
boga, all  the  vessels  that  come  into  the  bay  obtain 
their  supplies,  and  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Com- 
pany have  established  their  depot  for  coal,  &c.,  oc 
its  shores.  After  obtaining  all  the  necessary  supplier 


200  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

the  steamship  moves  out  of  the  bay,  rounding  Point 
Mala.  The  voyage  upon  the  Pacific,  with  all  ita 
variety  of  incident  and  scenery,  then  commences. 
The  principal  annoyance  of  travellers  is  the  almost 
intolerable  heat  of  the  sun  and  furnaces  of  the  steam- 
ship united.  Water-spouts  and  different  species  of 
whale  are  frequent  sights.  North  of  the  Gulf  of  Te- 
huantepec,  the  steamer  nears  the  land,  and  the  bold 
mountain  coast  of  Mexico  breaks  upon  the  view,  and, 
at  night,  the  passengers  enjoy  a  view  of  the  glaring 
light  produced  by  the  burning  volcano  of  Colima  ; 
though  the  volcano  itself  is  but  imperfectly  seen 
being  at  the  distance  of  ninety  miles  from  the  vessel. 
Soon  after  this  fades  from  the  view,  the  islands  off  the 
town  of  San  Bias  appear,  and  an  immense  white  rock, 
isolated  from  the  sea,  serving  as  a  lighthouse  to  ships 
steering  for  the  port.  At  San  Bias,  the  steamships 
remain  some  time,  to  obtain  supplies  of  coal,  fresh 
fruits,  and  provisions.  These  indispensables  having 
been  procured,  the  vessel  proceeds  upon  her  voyage. 
Cape  Corientes  next  appears,  and,  soon  afterwards, 
the  entrance  to  the  Gulf  of  California  is  approached  ; 
and  then,  Cape  San  Lucas,  the  extreme  southern 
point  of  California,  with  its  mountains  and  rocky 
shores,  is  hailed  by  the  traveller  as  the  first  portion  of 
the  "promised  land"  that  greets  his  sight.  Passing 
along  the  western  coast  of  the  peninsula,  the  island 
and  bay  of  Magdalena  appear,  with  shores  three  or 
four  thousand  feet  above  the  sea.  Next,  the  towering 
rirlges  of  Cerros  Isles  are  passed,  and  the  bold,  rocky 
shores  of  the  peninsula  are  in  continual  view.  The 
change  of  the  temperature  of  the  air  is  generallv 
keenly  felt  by  those  who  do  not  take  care  to  provide 
against  it.  Within  a  few  days  after  leaving  Paaama. 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  201 

ihe  thermometer  falls  from  95°  to  55°,  and  such  a 
change  must  have  an  injurious  effect,  if  additional 
clothing  is  not  put  on  to  meet  it. 

The  first  portion  of  Upper  California,  or.  the 
"Golden  Land,"  which  presents  itself  to  the  voy- 
agers, is  the  Ceronados,  two  high,  round-topped  rocks 
off  the  port  of  San  Diego.  Then  the  beautiful,  semi- 
circular harbor  is  entered,  and  if  wanting,  supplies 
are  obtained  from  the  town.  From  the  harbor  of  San 
Diego,  the  vessel  proceeds  along  the  coast  of  Califor- 
nia, and  the  towering  peaks  of  the  coast  range  of 
mountains,  engage  the  attention.  The  high  pro- 
montory of  St.  Vincent  is  passed,  and  then  the  open 
bay  of  Monterey  is  entered,  and  passengers  are  either 
let  off  the  steamer  or  taken  aboard  as  necessity  may 
occasion.  From  Monterey  the  steamer  keeps  along 
the  coast,  and  mountainous  shores  alone  meet  the 
view,  until  tho  voyagers  come  in  sight  of  the  Faral- 
lones,  two  large  detached  rocks  at  the  southern  side 
of  the  entrance  to  the  bay  of  San  Francisco.  Then 
the  Golden  Gate,  as  the  strait  or  entrance  is  called,  is 
entered  by  the  steamer,  and  the  perpendicular  cliffs 
and  hills  upon  each  shore  afford  matter  for  wonder. 
The  strait  is  about  three  miles  long,  and  from  one  to 
two  miles  broad.  As  the  vessel  reaches  its  terminus, 
the  great  bay  of  San  Francisco  opens  to  the  view, 
looking  like  a  miniatrtre  ocean.  Bird  Island,  Wood 
Island,  Angel  Island,  with  the  beautiful  little  bay  of 
Sancelito,  successively  meet  the  gaze,  and  very  soon 
the  steamer  is  anchored,  having  reached  her  destina- 
tion. Such  is  the  Isthmus  route  to  the  "gold  re- 
gion." It  is  the  shortest  route,  or  the  one  which  oc- 
cupies the  least  time  in  traversing,  presents  great 


202  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Tariety,  and  upon  tlie  whole,  its  beauties  and  pie* 
sores  outnumber  tl.e  difficulties  and  annoyances. 

THE   OVERLAND    ROUTE. 

WE  now  proceed  to  give  the  general  character  and 
direction  of  that  which  is  considered  the  best  land 
route  to  California,  and  which  is  the  most  travelled 
by  emigrants.  The  principal  advantage  possessed  by 
this  route  may  be  stated  in  a  few  words.  It  is  the 
shortest  route  to  the  bay  of  San  Francisco  and  the 
gold  region.  The  Indians  upon  the  route  are  friendlj 
and  very  few  acts  of  hostility  have  been  committed 
The  trail  is  plain  and  good  where  there  are  no  physical 
obstructions.  To  these  must  be  added  the  certaintj 
of  the  emigrants  reaching  their  place  of  destination, 
in  good  season ;  which  will  not  exist,  if  new  and  un- 
explored routes  are  attempted.  The  greatest  cala- 
mities and  sufferings  have  been  endured  by  those  who 
have  either  taken  an  entirely  different  route,  or  de- 
viated from  the  line  which  we  will  describe.  Advica 
concerning  the  time  of  starting,  preparations,  &c., 
will  be  interspersed  in  the  description. 

The  starting  point,  and  the  general  rendezvous  for 
emigrants,  is  the  town  of  Independence,  Missouri,  sit- 
uated about  six  miles  from  the  Missouri  River,  on  the 
south  side  of  it.  This  town  has  been,  for  many  years, 
the  principal  outfitting  point  fOr  the  Santa  Fe  traders, 
and  contains  about  two  thousand  inhabitants.  Emi- 
grants should  be  at  the  starting  place  by  the  20th  of 
April,  and  start  upon  their  journey  as  soon  thereafter 
as  the  grass  will  permit.  The  outfit  of  companies  of 
emigrants  would  be  too  tedious  to  mention,  and  as  it 
varies  considerably,  from  differences  of  means  and 
taste,  a  description  would  hardly  be  accurate.  But 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  203 

there  are  certain  things  which  are  indispensable  to 
those  who  take  this  route,  and  these  we  will  mention. 
With  respect  to  wagons  and  teams,  the  lightest  wagon 
that  can  be  constructed  of  sufficient  strength  to  carry 
2,500  pounds  weight,  is  the  vehicle  most  desirable. 
This  can  be  drawn  by  three  or  four  yokes  of  oxen,  or 
six  mules ;  oxen  are  usually  employed  for  this  purpose. 
Pack  mules  can  only  be  employed  by  parties  of  men ; 
but  the  journey  can  be  made  in  great  deal  less  time 
with  mules  than  with  oxen.  The  provisions  taken  by 
the  companies,  consist  mainly  of  flour,  bacon,  coffee, 
and  sugar ;  besides  these  indispensables,  there  is  rice, 
crackers,  salt,  pepper,  and  other  luxuries  of  light 
weight.  As  to  the  quantity  necessary,  that  may  be 
determined  by  considering  the  length  of  the  route 
and  the  average  number  of  miles  which  the  emigrants 
travel  per  day.  From  Independence  to  the  first  set- 
tlement in  California,  which  is  near  the  gold  region, 
it  is  about  two  thousand  and  fifty  miles — to  San  Fran- 
cisco, 2,290  miles.  Oxen  teams  travel  about  fifteen 
miles  per  day  upon  an  average.  At  that  rate,  it  would 
require  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  days  to  reach  the 
first  settlement  in  California.  Allowance  should  be 
made  for  stoppages  by  accident.  Every  man  should 
be  provided  with  a  good  rifle,  a  pair  of  pistols,  with  a 
quantity  of  ammunition,  and  a  bowie  knife  and  hatchet, 
in  his  belt.  A  set  of  carpenter's  tools  is  also  necessary. 
Starting  from  Independence,  and  travelling  a  few 
miles  over  a  good  road,  the  first  prairie  opens  upon 
the  view.  This  is  called  the  Blue  Prairie,  and  pre- 
sents a  surface  undulating  and  clothed  with  rich  ver- 
dure. In  crossing  this  prairie,  violent  storms  often 
overtake  the  emigrants,  and  to  those  who  have  not 
been  accustomed  to  it,  the  scene  during  the  storm  ii 


£04  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

terrifically  grand.  Fourteen  miles  travel  upon  the 
prairie  brings  the  emigrants  to  the  "Blue  Creek," 
which  is  fordable,  except  after  a  heavy  rain.  Ford- 
ing the  creek  and  crossing  the  timbered  bottom  of  the 
stream,  another  magnificent  prairie  is  entered,  which 
is  beyond  the  Missouri  line,  and  within  the  Indian  ter- 
ritory. Sixteen  miles  travel  over  this  beautiful  plain 
brings  the  emigrant  to  Indian  Creek,  the  banks  of 
which  usually  serve  for  a  place  of  encampment.  -  The 
prairie  offers  the  best  pasturage  for  cattle ;  but  con- 
stant watching  is  necessary  to  keep  them  from  stray- 
ing away  and  returning  to  the  settlements.  From 
Indian  Creek,  the  emigrants  proceed  across  the  prairie, 
along  the  Santa  Fe  trail,  for  about  fifteen  miles,  and 
then  leave  it,  turning  off  to  the  right  hand.  Cross- 
ing several  deep  ravines,  which  are  very  difficult  of 
passage  in  rainy  weather,  the  emigrants  arrive  on  the 
banks  of  the  Werkarusa  Creek.  This  is  another 
favorite  place  of  encampment,  groves  of  trees  being 
on  each  side  of  it.  From  this  creek,  the  route  is  over 
the  high-rolling  prairie,  upon  a  smooth  and  hard  trail. 
The  want  of  water  is  the  only  annoyance  that  is  ex- 
perienced by  the  travellers,  and  a  long  day's  journey 
is  necessary  to  bring  them  to  the  nearest  creek — a 
branch  of  the  Kansas  River.  The  banks  of  the  creek 
are  steep,  and  considerable  toil  is  requisite  to  cross  it. 
The  crossing  of  the  Kansas  River  is  the  next  diffi- 
culty to  be  met.  There  is  a  regular  ferry  about  five 
miles  from  where  the  emigrants  cross  the  tributary 
creek.  At  that  place  the  river  is  never  more  than 
two  hundred  yards  wide,  even  after  heavy  rains.  The 
wagons  are  placed  in  boats,  owned  by  the  Indians, 
and  transported  to  the  opposite  shore  for  the  sum  of 
one  dollar  per  load.  The  oxen  and  horses  are  com 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  20! 

pelled  to  swim  across.  Following  the  trail  fur  about 
three  miles,  a  place  of  encampment,  on  the  banks  of 
Soldier  Creek,  is  reached.  The  soil  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Kansas  is  luxuriantly  productive,  and  the 
most  refreshing  verdure  meets  the  eye  along  the 
trails  from  that  river  to  Soldier  Creek.  The  route 
is  then  pursued  over  a  flat  plain — boggy  in  some 
places — for  several  miles,  till  another  creek  is  reached, 
the  banks  of  which  are  steep,  and  this,  as  in  other 
cases,  make  its  crossing  a  matter  of  great  toil.  The 
trail  then  runs  over  a  high,  undulating  country,  pre- 
senting every  variety  of  scenery,  as  far  as  Black 
Paint  Creek,  near  which  are  two  Kansas  Indian  vil- 
lages. The  Kansas  are  a  friendly  tribe,  and  if  they 
were  not,  they  are  not  powerful  enough  to  attack  large 
parties  of  emigrants.  They  are  somewhat  disposed 
to  pilfer  whatever  they  can  conveniently,  and  require 
close  watching. 

After  crossing  the  creek,  the  trail  is  followed 
through  a  fertile  valley,  across  Hurricane  Creek,  which 
is  somewhat  difficult  of  passage,  and  then  over  an 
open  and  rolling  prairie,  broken  by  small  branches 
and  ravines.  Many  places,  convenient  for  encamping, 
are  to  be  found  on  the  route,  some  of  which  have 
springs  of  pure  cold  water.  Farther  on,  the  ground 
becomes  more  broken,  and  Vermilion  Creek,  a  large 
and  rapid  stream,  is  reached.  Its  banks  are  steep, 
and  its  fording  very  toilsome  and  difficult.  Between 
this  creek  and  the  Big  Blue,  there  is  neither  wood 
nor  water  to  be  obtained,  and  therefore,  it  is  cus- 
tomary for  the  emigrants  to  fill  their  casks  at  this 
place.  The  ground  between  the  two  streams,  a  dis- 
tance of  ten  miles,  is  more  broken  than  any  upon 
the  former  part  of  the  route,  and  on  arriving  at  the 


206  HISTOAY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Big  Blue,  a  steep  descent  is  made  to  the  low,  bottom 
lands  near  the  river.  The  usual  width  of  the  Big 
Blue  is  about  a  hundred  yards,  at  which  time  alone 
it  is  fordable.  It  becomes  much  swollen  by  heavy 
rains,  and  very  rapid  in  its  current. 

Arising  from  the  bottom  of  the  Big  Blue  River,  the 
emigrants  are  again  upon  the  high  and  undulating 
prairie.  Every  variety  of  scenery  is  presented  to  the 
view,  and  springs  of  water,  issuing  from  the  cliffy 
banks  of  the  small  branches  and  ravines,  and  shaded 
by  groves  of  trees  offer  many  places  for  rest  and  re- 
freshment. Fourteen  miles  from  the  Big  Blue,  one 
of  its  tributaries,  exceedingly  difficult  to  cross  with 
large  wagons  and  teams,  is  met  with.  After  passing 
it,  the  trail  runs  over  a  smooth  inclined  plane  for  the 
distance  of  twelve  miles,  to  another  encamping  place 
for  emigrants,  upon  the  banks  of  a  small  creek. 
From  that  creek  there  is  a  gradual  ascent  for  the  dis- 
tance of  about  fourteen  miles,  and  then  a  beautiful 
valley,  through  which  flows  a  small  stream,  meets  the 
eye  of  the  wearied  emigrants,  and  offers  groves  of 
oak  to  serve  for  places  of  rest.  Then  there  is  another 
gradual  ascent,  through  a  country  which  is  more 
sandy  and  less  fertile  than  any  met  with  upon  the 
former  part  of  the  route,  for  more  than  twenty  miles. 
The  Little  Blue  is  then  reached,  and  the  train  con- 
tinues along  up  the  banks  of  the  stream  for  the  dis- 
tance of  about  fifty  miles;  the  road  being  dry  and 
firm,  except  in  a  few  ravines.  The  trail  then  diverges 
from  the  stream  to  the  right,  ascending  over  the 
bluffs,  into  the  high  table  land  of  the  prairie,  and 
continues  to  ascend  gi  adually  until  the  bluffs  overlook- 
ing the  valley  of  the  Platte  River,  are  reached.  The 
aoil  along  this  part  of  the  trail  is  sandy,  and  the  grass 


HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA.  207 

rather  scarce ;  but  water  can  be  obtained  at  several 
places. 

The  Platte  River  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  in  breadth  where  the  trail  reaches  it.  The 
current  is  sluggish  and  turbid,  and  the  water  is  very 
shallow.  The  trail  continues  along  the  banks  of  the 
river,  the  course  of  which  is  nearly  from  west  to  east, 
and  the  road  is  all  that  could  be  wished  for  travelling. 
The  bluffs  which  skirt  the  valley  present  considerable 
variety,  and  as  the  route  is  continued,  they  become 
more  elevated  and  broken.  The  soil  of  the  valley 
becomes  less  fertile  and  the  vegetation  is  thin  and 
short.  After  traversing  the  valley  of  the  Platte  for 
the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles,  the 
trail  crosses  the  river  and  continues  along  the  north- 
ern bank  of  the  south  fork  for  about  twelve  miles, 
when  it  diverges  from  the  stream  to  pass  over  the 
prairie  to  the  north  fork.  The  distance  from  the 
south  to  the  north  fork  of  the  Platte,  by  the  emigrant 
trail,  is  about  twenty-two  miles,  without  water.  The 
country  between  the  two  streams  is  high  and  rolling. 
The  soil  is  poor,  the  grass  short,  and  no  trees  or 
shrubs  are  visible.  The  trail  descends  into  the  valley 
of  the  north  fork  of  the  Platte,  through  a  pass  known 
as  Ash  Hollow.  There  is  but  one  steep  or  difficult 
place  for  wagons  in  the  pass,  and  in  the  valley  will  be 
found  a  spring  of  pure  cool  water.  At  this  place, 
there  is  a  sort  of  post  office,  where  letters  are  left  by 
emigrants,  with  requests  that  they  shall  be  taken  to 
the  States  by  those  who  pass  this  way. 

For  several  miles  from  Ash  Hollow  the  trail  passes 
over  a  sandy  soil,  which  is  very  soft,  but  which  after- 
wa-rds  becomes  firmer.  The  scenery  then  presents 
the  aspect  of  barrenness  and  desolation.  Sand  and 


208  HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

rocks  are  all  that  meet  the  view  for  many  miles.  Tht 
landscape  then  assumes  a  greener  and  more  refresh- 
ing appearance,  and  groves  of  trees  relieve  the  emi- 
grants from  pursuing  their  way  any  farther  during 
the  day.  Farther  on,  the  well-known  landmark,  called 
the  "Chimney  Rock,"  which  can  be  seen  at  a  great 
distance,  is  met  by  the  emigrants.  It  is  composed  of 
soft  rock,  and  is  several  hundred  feet  high.  The 
scenery  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  rock  is  ver>' 
remarkable  and  picturesque.  There  are  a  number  of 
rocky  elevations  which  present  the  appearance  of 
vast  temples  and  pyramids,  with  domes  and  spires 
partially  in  ruins.  Over  a  sandy  soil,  the  trail  is 
pursued  for  about  twenty  miles,  the  surrounding 
scenery  being  of  the  most  sublime  and  singular  char- 
acter. Near  a  remarkable  rocky  conformation,  called 
"Scott's  Bluff,"  the  trail  leaves  the  river,  and  runs 
over  a  smooth  valley  in  the  rear  of  the  bluff.  It 
there  ascends  to  the  top  of  the  dividing  ridge,  from 
which  the  Rocky  Mountains  can  be  seen.  Descending 
from  the  ridge,  it  passes  over  a  barren  country,  broken 
by  deep  chasms  and  ravines,  for  about  twelve  miles, 
when  Horse  Creek  is  reached.  From  that  creek,  the 
trail  is  followed  to  the  Platte  River,  where  a  place  foJ 
encampment  is  found,  though  the  grass  is  very  in- 
different. Continuing  for  several  miles  through  a 
barren  country,  the  trail  is  followed  to  "  Fort  Ber- 
nard," a  small  building,  rudely  constructed  of  logs, 
used  as  a  trading-post.  Eight  miles  farther  on,  is 
Fort  Laramie,  or  Fort  John,  as  it  is  sometimes  called. 
This  fort  has  been  the  principal  trading-post  of  the 
American  Fur  Company.  It  is  situated  in  the  Lara- 
mie River,  near  its  junction  with  the  Platte,  and  is  six 
hundred  and  seventy-two  miles  from  Independence* 


HIST  >RY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  209 

The  building  is  quadrangular,  and  is  constructed  of 
adobt,  or  sun-dried  bricks.  Its  walls  are  surmounted 
by  watch-towers  and  its  gate  is  defended  by  two 
brass  swivels. 

From  Fort  Laramie,  the  trail  continues  on  through 
a  broken  country,  to  the  Platte  River,  a  distance  of 
twenty  miles.  Crossing  a  small  creek  which  empties 
into  the  Platte,  it  proceeds  through  the  dry  bed  of 
one  of  its  branches,  over  a  deep  sand  for  six  or  eight 
miles,  and  reaches  the  summit  of  a  high  ridge.  From 
thence  it  descends  into  a  narrow  valley,  through 
which  flows  a  small  stream  of  pure  water.  Another 
ridge  of  hills  is  then  ascended,  and  a  wild,  desolate, 
out  picturesque  scene  is  presented  to  the  view.  Nu- 
merous lofty  mountain  peaks,  barren  rocks,  and  a  vast 
prospect  of  low  conical  hills  are  the  principal  features. 
Through  a  country,  the  principal  features  of  which 
are  of  this  description,  the  trail  is  followed,  and  the 
monotony  of  the  journey  is  only  relieved  by  an  occa- 
sional stoppage  at  a  refreshing  spring  of  water.  The 
trail  gradually  ascends  towards  the  summit  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  and  the  country  becomes  more 
broken  and  sterile,  till  it  reaches  Beaver  Creek,  a 
tributary  of  the  Platte.  There  the  grass  and  water 
are  good,  and  the  wood  is  abundant.  The  country 
exhibits  every  indication  of  fertility  upon  the  trail  lead- 
ing from  Beaver  Creek,  and  pure  and  limpid  streams 
are  frequent,  until  the  Platte  River  is  again  struck 
and  followed  upon  its  southern  bank,  for  the  distance 
of  about  eighteen  miles.  The  river  is  then  forded, 
and  the  trail  ascends  the  high  bluffs  overlooking  the 
valley,  and  proceeds  over  several  miles  of  table-land 
till  the  valley  of  the  Platte  is  again  reached.  At 
this  point,  the  trail  finally  leaves  the  Platte,  and 


210  HISTOEY   OF   CALIFOKNIA. 

ascending  the  bluffs  on  the  right,  passes  over  an  arid 
plain  diversified  with  immense  piles  of  rocks,  deep 
ravines  and  chasms,  and  presenting  a  wide-spread 
sterility  and  desolation,  for  the  distance  of  forty 
miles.  Water  is  to  be  obtained  in  very  small  quanti- 
ties and  at  few  places  on  this  part  of  the  trail,  and, 
therefore  a  scarcity  should  be  provided  for  before 
leaving  the  Platte.  At  the  end  of  that  distance,  the 
trail  descends  into  a  small  valley,  where  spring  water 
can  be  obtained  and  some  refreshing  shade.  Ascend- 
ing from  this  valley,  the  trail  gradually  ascends  to 
the  summit  of  a  dividing  ridge,  from  which  a  view  of  the 
Sweetwater  River  Mountains  can  be  obtained.  De- 
scending from  the  ridge,  a  small  stream,  the  grassy 
banks  of  which  serve  for  an  encampment,  is  soon 
reached.  Farther  on  is  a  well-known  landmark  among 
the  mountains,  called  Independence  Rock.  It  is  an 
isolated  elevation,  composed  of  masses  of  rock,  about 
one  hundred  feet  in  height,  and  a  mile  in  circum- 
ference, standing  near  the  northern  bend  of  the  Sweet- 
water  River,  and  between  the  ranges  of  mountains 
which  border  the  valley  of  that  stream. 

The  trail  proceeds  up  the  Sweetwater  River,  and 
passes  a  remarkable  fissure  in  the  Rocky  Mountain 
wall,  which  is  called  the  Devil's  Gate.  The  fissure  is 
about  thirty  feet  in  breadth,  and  the  perpendicular 
walls  on  each  side  of  the  channel  of  the  stream  which 
flows  through  it,  are  nearly  three  hundred  feet  high. 
The  trail  leaves  the  river  about  twelve  miles  from 
where  it  first  strikes  it,  and  then  returns  to  it  after 
traversing  about  sixteen  miles.  It  again  diverges  from 
the  river  and  crosses  a  broken  and  arid  plain,  which 
presents  but  few  signs  of  vegetation.  Passing  through 
a  gap  between  two  ranges  of  granite  mountains,  tLt 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  211 

first  view  of  the  Wind  River  Mountains  is  obtained. 

The  trail  then  proceeds  through  a  narrow  valley 
several  miles  in  length,  the  surface  of  which  is  white 
with  an  alkaline  efflorescence,  and  then  returns  to  the 
Sweetwater  River.  Continuing  up  the  valley  of  the 
Sweetwater,  occasionally  leaving  the  bank  of  the 
stream  and  passing  over  the  rolling  and  barren  table- 
lands,  it  crosses  two  small  creeks  which  present  good 
places  for  encampment.  Several  miles  farther  on,  the 
trail  crosses  the  Sweetwater  River,  and  then  leaves  it 
finally,  making  a  gradual  ascent  to  the  South  Pass  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  or  the  dividing  ridge  which 
separate  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic  aoid  Pacific. 

After  the  summit  of  the  ridge  is  reached,  the  trail 
passes  two  or  three  miles  over  a  level  surface,  and 
then  descends  to  the  spring,  well  known  to  emigrants 
as  the  "Pacific  Spring."  The  water  from  this  spring 
is  emptied  into  the  Colorado  River  of  the  West,  which 
river  empties  into  the  Gulf  of  California.  This  Pacific 
Spring  is  two  miles  west  of  the  South  Pass,  and  nine 
hundred  and  eighty-three  miles  from  Independence, 
Missouri. 

From  the  Pacific  Spring,  the  trail  passes  over  an 
arid,  undulating  plain,  in  a  west-by-north  course,  for 
about  twenty-eight  miles,  when  the  "  Little  Sandy" 
River,  a  branch  of  the  Green  or  Colorado  River,  pre- 
sents itself,  and  ftrnishes  the  first  water  after  leaving 
Pacific  Spring.  From  the  Little  Sandy  River,  the 
trail  passes  over  a  plain  of  white  sand  or  clay,  and 
within  twelve  miles  reaches  the  Big  Sandy  River,  and 
passes  along  it  for  about  eighteen  miles,  and  then 
strikes  off  and  crosses  the  Green  River,  or  Colorado 
of  the  West.  This  river  is  shallow  ind  only  about 
•eventy  yards  broad.  The  trail  then  continues  down 


12  HISTORY   Of   CALIFORNIA. 

the  Green  River  a  short  distance,  and  then,  making  a 
right  angle,  ascends  the  bluffs  bordering  the  valley  of 
the  stream,  in  nearly  a  west  course.  The  country 
then  becomes  still  more  broken  and  barren,  and  the 
trail  ascends  gradually  to  the  summit  of  a  ridge,  from 
which  it  descends  to  the  banks  of  the  Black  Fork,  a 
tributary  of  the  Green  River.  This  Black  Fork  is 
crossed  several  times  upon  the  route,  but  is  not  more 
than  sixty  yards  wide  and  is  very  shallow.  The  trail 
leaves  it  to  cut  off  the  bends  and  then  returns  to  it. 
The  scenery  along  this  part  of  the  route  is  interesting, 
but  the  soil  is  frightfully  sterile.  Diverging  from  the 
stream  the  trail  passes  over  a  barren  plain  with  no 
vegetation  upon  it  except  the  wild  sage,  so  common 
even  in  the  most  sterile  country,  and  then  passes 
through  a  bottom  of  grass,  offering  a  good  place  for 
an  encampment. 

Near  this  place  is  Fort  Bridger,  a  small  trading- 
post  established  by  a  Mr.  Bridger.  The  buildings 
are  two  or  three  rudely  constructed  log  cabins,  and 
they  are  situated  in  a  handsome  fertile  bottom,  on  the 
banks  of  a  small  stream.  This  fort  is  about  eleven  hun- 
dred miles  from  Independence,  Missouri.  From  Fort 
Bridger,  many  parties  anxious  to  explore  the  country, 
take  the  route  by  way  of  the  south  end  of  the  great 
Salt  Lake.  But  the  scarcity  of  water  and  the  other 
difficulties  encountered  in  crossing  the  sterile  plains 
and  the  great  Salt  Desert  should  be  sufficient  to  deter 
emigrants  with  families  from  taking  that  direction. 
Oxen  could  not  travel  fast  enough  from  one  watering- 
place  to  another,  and  must  necessarily  perish  from 
thirst.  Besides,  the  route  is  but  poorly  defined,  and 
may  be  wandered  from  very  easily. 

The  trail  of  the  old  route,  and  the  one  taken  by 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  211 

most  of  the  emigrants,  leaves  Fort  Bridger,  and  pur- 
sues a  north-westerly  course,  through  the  Bear  River 
valley,  which  it  leaves  at  a  remarkable  landmark 
called  Sheep  Rock,  and  crossing  a  dividing  ridge 
reaches  Fort  Hall,  by  the  valley  of  the  Portneaf 
River.  This  fort  was  established  by  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company,  and  it  is  the  seat  of  a  considerable 
trade  in  furs  with  the  Indians  and  trappers.  From 
Fort  Hall  the  trail  continues  on  till  it  reaches  the 
valley  of  Mary's  River.  There  a  tolerably  fertile  soil 
and  refreshing  vegetation  greets  the  eye  of  the  travel- 
worn  emigrant.  The  trail  crosses  the  river  five  or  six 
times  in  as  many  miles,  in  order  to  take  mdvantage  of 
the  narrow  bottoms  made  by  the  windings  of  the 
stream.  The  bottom  is  skirted  by  very  high  ranges 
of  mountains  to  where  the  trail  leaves  it,  and  turning 
to  the  right  ascends  over  low,  gravelly  hills.  Descend- 
ing from  the  summit  of  a  ridge  of  hills,  it  passes 
thiough  a  valley  where  good  grass  and  water  can  be 
obtained — the  valley  containing  several  springs  of 
pure  cold  water.  Emerging  from  this  valley  through 
a  narrow  gap,  the  trail  passes  into  another  still  more 
extensive,  and  pursues  a  south-westerly  direction  for 
about  twenty  miles,  keeping  near  the  margin  of  Mary's 
River.  A  succession  of  low  hills  are  crossed,  and 
another  valley  is  reached.  During  the  journey  through 
these  valleys,  the  emigrants  are  exposed  to  the  fiery 
rays  of  the  sun,  and  the  hot  winds  from  the  desert 
are  very  oppressive.  The  trail  then  follows  the  course 
of  the  river  in  a  direction  nearly  north-west,  through 
valleys,  or  plains  of  great  extent,  and  mountainous 
defiles,  occasionally  following  a  bend  of  the  rivei 
towards  the  south-west.  The  greater  portion  of  these 
valleys  is  barren,  but  there  are  frequent  fertile  spot* 

K 


214  HI8TOR1    OP   CALIFORNIA. 

near  the  boiling  springs.  The  only  Indians  met  on 
this  part  of  the  route  are  the  diggers,  and  they  dc 
not  possess  the  power  to  do  much  harm,  if  they  even 
were  hostile ;  but  they  are  friendly.  The  want  of 
water  is  the  principal  annoyance. 

Passing  over  the  desolate  valleys  and  hills  that 
border  Mary's  River,  the  trail  descends  into  a  large 
circular  basin,  in  which  a  place  for  encamping  is 
found,  but  with  little  water.  From  this  basin,  it 
crosses  some  considerable  elevations  and  then  a  totally 
barren  plain  ten  miles  wide.  Beyond  this,  water  and 
grass  of  tolerable  quality  are  soon  found ;  and  there, 
if  possible,  a  «upply  should  be  obtained  sufficient  to 
last  for  a  long  day's  journey.  Rounding  the  base  of 
a  mountain,  the  trail  takes  a  south-west  course,  across 
a  totally  barren  plain.  No  sign  of  the  river,  or  the 
existence  of  any  water  is  exhibited.  Near  the  southern 
edge  of  the  plain,  which  is  twenty  miles  in  extent, 
some  pools  of  standing  water  are  found,  and  the  place 
is  known  as  the  "  Sink  of  Mary's  River."  From 
these  pools  to  the  Truckee,  or  Salmon  Trout  River, 
the  distance  is  forty-five  miles.  The  trail  is  followed 
over  the  hills  of  ashy  earth,  in  which  the  mules  often 
sink  to  their  bellies,  and  over  a  ground  destitute  of 
any  vegetation,  except  occasional  clumps  of  wild  sage. 
A  ridge  of  mountains  is  then  ascended  by  an  easy 
inclined  plain,  and  a  view  of  the  distant  range  of 
Sierra  Nevada  is  obtained  on  reaching  the  summit. 
The  intervening  valley  presents  as  barren  a  prospect 
as  the  country  immediately  preceding  it.  Descending 
into  it,  numerous  boiling  springs  are  found,  which 
often  serve  to  delude  the  thirsty  emigrants.  But  by 
damming  up  the  streams  which  flow  from  them,  th< 
water  may  be  cooled,  and,  although  impregnated  witb 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  215 

salt,  sulphur,  and  magnesia,  it  may  quench  the  thirst. 
The  phenomenon  of  mirage  is  frequently  presented  to 
the  view  of  the  emigrants,  and  it  very  often  assumes 
the  appearance  of  things  unknown  to  that  desert 
region,  such  as  lakes,  cascades,  and  foaming  and 
tumbling  waters.  About  twelve  miles  from  the 
springs,  a  ridge  of  sandy  hills,  running  across  the 
valley,  is  ascended,  and  then  an  elevated  plain  of 
about  ten  miles  in  extent  is  crossed  by  the  trail.  Over 
this  plain  the  travelling  is  very  laborious — the  sand 
being  very  deep.  But  at  length  the  Truckee  River  is 
reached,  and  water,  grass  and  trees,  larger  than  any 
upon  the  former  part  of  the  route  for  five  hundred 
miles  preceding,  greet  the  wearied  and  thirsty 
emigrant. 

The  Truckee  River  is  about  fifty  feet  in  breadth 
with  a  shallow  but  rapid  current  of  clear  water.  The 
bottom  land  is  exceedingly  fertile,  and  game  is  some- 
times to  be  obtained  in  its  neighborhood.  The  trail 
crosses  the  Truckee  very  frequently,  in  its  winding 
course,  but  the  country  being  agreeable,  this  is  not 
considered  toilsome  by  the  emigrant,  after  traversing 
the  barren  plains  in  the  vicinity  of  Mary's  River.  The 
course  of  the  Truckee  is  nearly  from  the  south-west  to 
the  north-east,  and  in  some  places  it  passes  between 
very  high  mountains,  affording  scarcely  room  for  tra- 
vellers to  pass.  Sometimes  the  trail  is  followed 
through  fertile  valleys  and  then  over  barren  hills  and 
rocky  passes  till  the  summit  of  a  gap  in  the  moun- 
tains is  reached,  and  a  pleasant  valley  opens  to  the 
view,  offering  a  fine  place  for  encampment.  The  trail 
then  turns  to  the  left,  and  proceeds  in  a  southerly 
direction,  crossing  the  Truckee  several  times,  until 
the  Truekee  Lake  breaks  upon  the  view.  This  smaU 


216  HISTORY     5F   CALIFORNIA. 

sheet  of  water  is  surrounded  by  lofty  mountains,  ox 
cept  upon  the  side  where  its  outlet  flows  from  it.  The 
trail  strikes  the  shore  of  the  lake  at  its  eastern  end, 
and  continues  around  its  north-eastern  side  over  a 
very  difficult,  boggy  road.  Having  reached  the  upper 
end  of  the  lakes,  the  trail  leaves  the  shore  on  the 
r:'.ght  hand,  ascends  over  some  rocky  hills,  and.  cross- 
ing some  deep  ravines  and  swampy  ground,  arrives  at 
the  base  of  the  crest  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  Then 
comes  the  ascent  of  the  steep  pass — a  work  of  diffi- 
culty and  danger.  The  mules  are  compelled  to  leap 
from  crag  to  crag,  and,  when  heavily  laden,  are  often 
precipitated  backward  in  climbing  the  almost  perpen- 
dicular rocks. 

Having  attained  the  summit  of  the  pass,  the  view 
is  inexpressibly  grand  and  comprehensive.  A  mile 
journey  upon  the  top  of  the  mountain  brings  the  tra- 
veller to  a  small  lake,  surrounded  by  good  grass, 
which  is  often  used  as  a  place  of  encampment.  Leav- 
ing the  lake  on  the  right  hand,  the  trail  descends  over 
the  rocky  ground  for  a  few  miles,  and  then  enters  a 
beautiful  valley  about  five  miles  long.  Through  this 
valley,  which  is  called  the  Tuba  valley,  by  the  emi- 
grants, flows  the  Yuba  River,  a  tributary  of  the 
Feather  River,  and  the  scene  of  considerable  gold 
digging  and  washing.  This  is  the  commencement  of 
the  gold  region,  and  after  their  journey  through  the 
wilderness,  here  the  emigrants  greet  the  "  promised 
land."  From  this  point  to  Sacramento  city,  the  great 
terminus  of  the  overland  emigration,  it  is  about  sixty 
miles ;  but  the  trading  post  of  Yuba,  Jol  nson's 
ranche,  Vernon,  and  the  other  posts,  offer  convenient 
intermediate  resting  places. 

We  have  thus  sketched  the  general  character  of  the 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  217 

principal  overland  route  to  California,  and  have  fol- 
lowed the  trail  of  the  emigrant  over  all  the  difficul- 
ties and  obstacles  which  present  themselves  upon  the 
route.  That  there  are  portions  of  the  journey  which 
are  productive  of  considerable  suffering,  and  which 
demand  stout  hearts  and  strong  constitutions  to  meet 
them,  is  not  to  be  doubted.  But  they  are  few  com- 
pared with  the  dangers  to  be  encountered  by  deviat- 
ing from  the  particular  trail  whose  course  we  have 
followed.  The  want  of  water  is  the  principal  source 
of  annoyance  towards  the  lake  part  of  the  route,  but 
this  occurs  in  few  places.  The  longest  distance  to  be 
travelled  without  finding  water,  is  about  forty-five 
miles — from  the  "  Sink"  of  Mary's  River  to  Truckee 
River,  and  this  may  be  prepared  for.  It  is  a  matter 
of  great  importance,  that  the  delay  upon  the  route 
should  be  as  little  as  possible.  Great  suffering  and 
many  deaths  have  been  caused  by  delaying  too  long 
at  different  camping  places.  It  should  be  made  an 
urgent  duty  to  get  over  as  much  ground  every  day  as 
possible,  and  to  keep  in  the  old  trail. 

The  overland  route  which  we  have  sketched,  and 
the  route  by  way  of  Chagres  and  Panama,  are  the  two 
routes  by  which  most  of  the  California  emigrations  had 
proceeded ;  but  there  are  others  projected,  and  some 
have  been  followed.  Many  persons  have  proceeded  to 
California  through  Mexico ;  but  the  difficulty  and 
delay  in  the  matter  of  passports,  and  the  opposition 
of  the  Mexicans  to  armed  parties  of  another  country 
passing  their  territory,  must  prove  weighty  objections 
to  any  such  route.  Another  has  been  projected,  and 
will  probably  be  opened.  It  is  a  route  across  the  ter- 
ritory of  Nicaragua,  in  Central  America.  This  will 
be  the  shortest  and  most  convenient  route  to  the  gold 


218  HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

region,  and  will  absorb  the  greater  portion  of  he 
travel  thither  ;  but  the  overland  route  will  always  b« 
taken  by  those  who  have  been  accustomed  to  a  coun- 
try life,  or  have  a  thirst  for  adventure.  It  presents 
the  greatest  variety  of  scenery — some  of  it  of  a  cha- 
racter not  to  be  seen  elsewhere ;  and  affords  oppor- 
tunities for  studying  nature  in  all  her  visible  forms ; 
and,  though  attended  with  toils  and  dangers,  which 
will  daunt  the  feeble,  it  possesses  the  strongest  at- 
tractions for  the  lovers  of  variety,  and  the  hardy  ad- 
venturer who  has  confidence  in  his  own  powers  of 
endurance. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

RECENT  EVENTS. 

BELIEVING  that  every  event  which  in  any  way 
affects  the  interests  or  welfare  of  California  is  im- 
portant to  those  who  have  watched  her  progress  and 
have  been  astonished  at  her  rapid  rise,  we  will  in  this 
and  a  subsequent  chapter,  bring  the  narrative  up  to 
the  time  of  issuing  this  work. 

The  city  of  San  Francisco,  in  the  midst  of  her 
progress  and  prosperity,  has  been  twice  visited  by  the 
destroying  element  of  fire.  The  first  calamity  of  this 
kind  occurred  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1849.  The  fire  consumed  all  that  portion  of  the 
city  on  and  near  the  plaza,  involving  a  loss,  at  Califor- 
nia prices,  of  over  a  million  of  dollars.  Fortunately, 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  219 

it  was  the  rainy  season.     If  the   fire  had  occurred 

during  the  dry  season,  and  the  prevalence  of  the 
furious  gales,  the  whole  city,  composed,  as  it  was,  of 
canvas  tents  and  wooden  houses,  must  have  been 
destroyed.  The  event  did  not  materially  affect  the 
progress  of  the  city ;  for  the  burnt  district  was  entirely 
rebuilt  within  twenty  days. 

The  second  great  fire  occurred  on  the  night  of  the 
4th  of  May,  1850.  It  broke  out  in  the  United  States 
Hotel,  situated  on  the  plaza,  or  Portsmouth  Square — 
the  very  heart  of  the  city.  The  flames  soon  spread 
to  the  adjoining  buildings,  and  several  of  the  principal 
hotels  were  destroyed.  Nothing  could  stop  the  pro- 
gress of  the  fire  but  the  tearing  down  of  a  whole  block 
of  houses  on  one  of  the  streets  leading  from  the 
Square.  Five  entire  blocks  of  the  business  portion 
of  the  city  were  destroyed — involving  a  loss  of  about 
a  million  of  dollars.  To  show  the  amount  of  enter- 
prise and  energy  existing  in  San  Francisco,  no  better 
opportunity  is  afforded  than  to  look  at  the  state  of 
things  in  that  city,  ten  days  after  the  fire.  We  extract 
from  the  Alta  Californian  of  the  15th  of  May,  the 
following  remarks : 

"TiiE  BURNED  DISTRICT. — Intimately  as  we  are 
acquainted  with  the  predominant  spirit  of  energy  and 
enterprise  of  our  city,  we  have  almost  wondered  at 
the  rapidity  with  which  the  burned  district  is  being 
again  built  up.  It  exceeds  the  speed  with  which  th« 
work  was  accomplished  after  the  December  fire. 
Already,  in  Portsmouth  Square,  the  Bella  Union  and  - 
St.  Charles,  houses  of  public  re-sort,  are  opened  and 
hourly  thronged.  In  Washington  Street,  two  dry 
goods  stores,  *  La  Amarilla'  and  Juan  Cima's,  are 
opened  and  stocked,  and  on  both  sides  of  the  way 


220  HISTORY  OF  CALlPORNxA. 

buildings  are  nearly  completed,  and  will  be  ready  for 
occupation  by  the  latter  end  of  this  week-  In  fact, 
the  ruins  are  more  than  half  covered  over,  and  except 
that  the  new  edifices  are  not  of  so  elegant  a  character 
or  so  substantially  built,  even,  as  previously,  they  wlU 
present  a  handsome  appearance. 

"  The  fact  of  the  business  season  having  now  fairlj 
commenced,  and  the  necessity  of  being  alive  to  take 
advantage  of  it,  has  materially  accelerated  operations. 
The  present  busy  hum  created  by  the  industrious 
mechanic,  will  soon  give  way  to  the  usual  activity  and 
bustle  of  mercantile  trade,  and  ere  the  departure  of 
the  next  steamer  a  casual  observer  would  be  scarcely 
able  to  realize  the  devastation  of  the  4th  inst.  Not- 
withstanding the  immense  amount  of  property  de- 
stroyed, which  was  not  at  all  over-estimated,  business 
has  not  been  so  generally  depressed,  even  momenta- 
rily, as  it  was  feared  and  anticipated.  Our  community 
have  risen  again  to  the  surface  of  the  waters  with 
cork-like  buoyancy,  and  the  sad  and  gloomy  faces  of 
the  early  part  of  last  week  have  brightened  by  the 
prosperous  hopes  anticipated  in  the  future.  Never 
was  calamity  taken  with  more  fortitude  and  philosophy 
than  in  this  city.  And  if  to  win  success  is  but  to 
deserve,  then  those  who  have  suffered  will  meet  with 
their  just  reward.  Nil  desperandum  seems  to  be  the 
popular  motto,  amalgamated  with  the  David  Crocket 
principle,  enlarged  and  improved.  We  are  satisfied 
that  nothing  can  retard  or  check  the  prosperity,  rapid 
growth,  advancement  and  importance  of  this,  the  prin- 
cipal city  and  seaport  of  the  Pacific  coast.  Vim 
San  Francisco !" 

The  annexed  extract  from  the  Message  of  the  Mayor 
of  San  Francisco  gives  an  idea  of  the  quantity  of 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  i.'l 

disease  and  destitution  in  that  city.  No  doubt  San 
Francisco  is  the  grand  receptacle  for  all  who  become 
diseased  in  any  way  at  the  mines  or  other  places  in 
the  interior ;  and  this  may  serve  to  account  for  the 
extraordinary  statements  contained  in  the  Message — 

"  During  the  last  nine  months,  an  expense  of  eighty 
thousand  dollars  has  been  incurred  for  the  support  of 
the  sick  and  destitute,  who  have  been  thrown  penniless 
upon  our  shores,  and  found  friendless  and  homeless  in 
our  streets,  and  for  the  burial  of  those  who  have  died 
without  sufficient  means  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
interment.  If  these  enormous  expenditures  are  con- 
tinued, (and  it  is  evident  from  the  rapid  growth  of  the 
population,  that  they  must  seriously  increase,  unless 
some  new  system  is  adopted,)  it  will  readily  be,  per- 
ceived that  a  very  large  portion  of  the  revenue  of  the 
city  will  be  absorbed  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  the 
hospital  department  alone.  Something  therefore  must 
speedily  be  done  to  remedy  this  great  drain  upon  the 
public  purse." 

As  an  indication  of  the  vast  increase  of  the  com- 
merce of  San  Francisco,  it  is  stated  that,  in  six  days 
in  the  month  of  May,  1850,  there  arrived  at  that  port 
seventy-six  vessels,  freighted  with  cargoes  to  find  a 
market  there.  Several  large  steamboats  have  been 
put  upon  the  Sacramento  and  the  Bay  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  they  are  reaping  extraordinary  profits.  The 
trip  from  San  Francisco  to  Sacramento  City  was,  a  few 
years  ago,  a  work  of  some  days,  but  it  is  now  per- 
formed in  less  than  nine  hours. 

The  reports  from  the  mines  continue  to  be  of  the 
most  favorable  character.  Gold  has  been  discovered 
upon  Trinity  River,  about  two  hundred  miles  north  of 
Sacramento  City,  and  the  digging  has  proved  to  b« 


222  HISTOBT  OF   CALIFORNIA. 

equal  to  that  of  any  of  the  other  placers.  The  mouth 
of  the  river,  which  empties  into  Trinity  Bay,  has  been 
surveyed,  and,  being  considered  a  very  good  harbor, 
a  town  has  been  projected,  to  be  situated  upon  the 
shore  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Kich  diggings  have 
been  opened  near  Mariposa,  and  on  one  occasion,  a 
mass  of  gold  and  quartz,  weighing  fifty  pounds,  was 
taken  from  them,  and  sold  for  sixteen  hundred  dollars. 
Several  important  discoveries  have  been  made  on  the 
Mokulumne  River.  Out  of  one  hole,  three  men,  in  twc 
days,  took  the  sum  of  four  thousand  dollars.  It  is 
thought  that  more  bullion  will  be  obtained  during  the 
dry  season  of  the  present  year,  1850,  than  has  been 
received  since  the  commencement  of  the  gold-digging. 
This  seems  to  falsify  the  predictions  of  some  persons, 
that  the  gold  region  would  be  speedily  exhausted. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  some  bloody  trans- 
actions upon  the  North  Fork  of  the  American  River. 
We  extract  it  from  the  Pacific  News  of  May  15th, 
1850:— 

"  About  two  weeks  ago,  a  party  of  Indians  came 
stealthily  upon  a  few  miners  who  were  sleeping  after 
their  work  was  over  in  their  tents  on  the  North  Fork, 
some  twenty  miles  above  Auburn.  Before  the  Indians 
gave  any  warning  to  the  whites  of  their  presence,  they 
killed  two,  wounded  another,  and  then  succeeded  in 
making  their  escape.  On  Friday  of  last  week,  a 
trader,  whc  was  travelling  with  his  team,  was  sur- 
rounded by  Indians  when  about  fifteen  miles  above 
Auburn.  The  arrows  from  their  bows  took  effect  up- 
on his  person,  and  he  only  saved  his  life  by  a  preci- 
pitous flight.  They  carried  off  his  c;>at  which  he  left 
IL  his  Magon,  with  $600  worth  of  gDld  dust  in  the 
pocket,  ^fhey  also  robbed  his  wagon  of  several  valu- 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  223 

able  articles.  Upon  receiving  news  of  this  attack  at 
Auburn,  a  number  of  men  set  out  on  horseback,  in 
pursuit  of  the  Indians.  They  overtook  them  in  a 
valley  not  far  from  Auburn,  and  found  a  large  party 
of  them  drawn  up  to  meet  them.  The  Indians  were 
armed  with  bows  and  arrows  and  had  one  gun.  The 
whites  attacked  them,  and  soon  put  them  to  flight. 
The  Indians  left  a  considerable  number  of  dead  be- 
hind them,  and  it  is  supposed  that  they  carried  off 
many  more.  Two  of  the  whites  were  wounded  with 
the  arrows  of  the  Indians,  but  not  fatally. 

"  It  is  believed  by  many  of  the  miners  that  there 
are  white  men  among  the  Indians,  inciting  them  to 
hostilities.  It  is  pretty  certain  that  a  German  doctor 
has  been  leading  them  on  in  their  attacks.  A  meet- 
ing was  held  at  Auburn,  last  Monday  evening,  to 
raise  a  company  of  volunteers  for  the  purpose  of 
scouring  the  country,  and  making  war  upon  the  Indians 
wherever  found,  so  long  as  they  maintain  a  hostile 
position,  and  a  number  of  men  were  enrolled." 

A  portion  of  the  Indians  of  the  eastern  part  of 
California  have  always  manifested  their  hostility  to 
the  whites,  and  have  taken  numerous  occasions  to 
wreak  their  vengeance  upon  those  whom  they  consider 
the  invaders  of  their  country.  But  the  pursuit  of 
such  a  course  will  only  hasten  their  own  destruction. 
They  are  in  no  condition  to  contend  with  the  whites, 
and  their  proper  course  would  be  to  conciliate  those 
whom  they  cannot  resist.  The  following  account  of 
an  exterminating  expedition  against  the  Indians  is 
from  the  Alta  Californian  of  the  first  of  June.  To 
our  thinking,  the  punishment  far  exceeded  the  offence, 
and  the  officer  who  gave  the  order  for  extermination, 
10  culpable  in  a  high  degree. 


224  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

"  We  have  received  particulars  of  the  recent  slaugh- 
ter of  a  large  body  of  Clear  Lake  Indians  by  an  expe- 
dition sent  out  against  them  from  the  United  States 
garrisons  at  Sonoma  and  Benecia.  The  tribe  that 
incurred  this  terrible  punishment,  comprises  the  natives 
of  Sonoma  and  Napa  valleys,  and  has  maintained,  in 
general  undisturbed  peaceful  relations  with  the  white 
settlers  of  that  section  of  California.  Last  summer, 
however,  a  stubborn  family  Indian  offered  an  indignity 
to  the  wife  of  one  Kelsey,  who  had  resided  in  the 
country  some  nine  years,  for  which  he  was  taken  be- 
fore a  magistrate  and  sentenced  to  receive  one  hundred 
lashes.  After  this  punishment,  on  the  same  day,  we 
are  informed  Kelsey,  sought  the  wretched  offender, 
and  laid  him  dead  at  his  feet,  shooting  him  in  the 
presence  of  several  gentlemen;  who  remonstrated  with 
him  on  the  barbarity  of  the  deed.  This  man  Kelsey 
was  afterwards  murdered,  as  was  also  a  brother-in- 
law,  by  the  Indians  of  the  neighborhood.  Since  then 
repeated  acts  of  violence  have  been  visited  upon  the 
natives,  and  our  readers  will  remember  the  accounts 
which  we  published  a  few  months  since,  of  outrages 
committed  in  Sonoma  and  Napa,  by  a  party  of  despe- 
rate white  men.  The  Indians  were  driven  to  the 
mountains,  and  subsequently  made  depredatory  incur- 
sions upon  their  old  masters,  driving  away  cattle,  and 
indulging  their  natural  propensity  to  steal.  Com- 
plaints were  made, — doubtless  the  accounts  of  their 
conduct  highly  colored, — to  the  garrisons  of  Benecia 
and  Sonoma,  and  on  the  1st  of  the  month  an  expedi- 
tion was  fitted  out  against  them,  composed  of  a  detach- 
ment of  infantry,  and  a  company  of  dragoons,  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Davidson,  (seventy-five  in  all,} 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  225 

with  orders  to  proceed  against  the  Clear  Lake  Indians, 
and  exterminate,  if  possible,  the  tribe. 

"The  troops  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lake, 
and  came  unexpectedly  upon  a  body  of  Indians  num- 
bering between  two  and  three  hundred.  They  imme- 
diately surrounded  them,  and  as  the  Indians  raised  a 
shout  of  defiance  and  attempted  escape,  poured  in  a 
destructive  fire  indiscriminately  upon  men,  women,  and 
children.  'They  fell,'  says  our  informant,  *  as  grass 
before  the  sweep  of  the  scythe.'  Little  or  no  resist- 
ance was  encountered,  and  the  work  of  butchery  was 
of  short  duration.  The  shrieks  of  the  slaughtered 
victims  died  away,  the  roar  of  muskets  then  ceased, 
and  stretched  lifeless  upon  the  sod  of  their  native 
valley  were  the  bleeding  bodies  of  these  Indians—- 
nor  sex,  nor  age  was  spared ;  it  was  the  order 
of  extermination  fearfully  obeyed.  The  troops  re- 
turned to  the  stations,  and  quiet  is  for  the  present 
restored." 

Here  is  the  account  of  more  Indian  troubles. 

"  FIGHT  WITH  THE  SACRAMENTO  INDIANS. — TREA- 
TY.— In  consequence  of  depredations  of  the  Indians  of. 
the  Sacramento  valley  and  outrages  committed  by  them, 
General  Thomas  J.  Green,  1st  Division,  State  Militia, 
ordered  out  two  companies  of  Mounted  Volunteers, 
under  command  of  Captain  Allgiers  and  Captain 
Charles  Hoyt,  and  marched  from  Oro,  on  the  17th  of 
May,  in  the  direction  of  Deer  Creek.  On  the  same 
day  Lieutenant  Bell,  of  Captain  A.'s  company,  with 
ten  men,  encountered  a  large  number  of  Indians, 
killed  five,  and  took  six  prisoners. 

"  On  the  18th  the  command  scoured  the  country  in 
the  region  of  Deer  Creek  and  Bear  River.  On  the 
19th,  the  trail  to  Colonel  Holt's  mill,  where  he  wa* 


£J6  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

murdered,  was  taken,  the  villages  found  to  be  deserted, 
and  the  white  settlement  abandoned. 

"  On  the  20th,  the  Indians,  two  or  three  hundred 
strong,  were  discovered  within  two  miles  of  Bear 
River,  upon  an  elevated  conical  hill.  An  engagement 
took  place,  in  which  eleven  Indians  were  killed  and  a 
number  wounded.  About  fifty  of  the  state  volunteers 
were  engaged.  None  were  killed,  but  Captain  Hoyt, 
Lieutenant  Lewis,  and  Mr,  Russell  were  wounded. 
Major  Frederick  Emory  (brother  of  Major  Emory, 
United  States  Topographical  Engineers  of  the  bound- 
ary Commission,)  was  accidentally  shot  through  the 
thigh  with  a  rifle  ball.  He  wasf  aid-de-camp  to  General 
T.  J.  Green. 

"  On  the  25th,  the  Indian  Chiefs  Weimer,  Buckler, 
and  Pooliel,  came  in,  by  permission,  and  entered  into 
a  treaty  of  peace  between  the  three  tribes,  severally 
represented,  and  the  State  of  California  and  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States.  The  treaty  is  sensible 
and  comprehensive." 

In  the  following,  among  other  interesting  intelli- 
gence, will  be  found  an  account  of  that  which  was 
expected  long  before  it  occurred — the  resistance  of 
some  of  the  numerous  body  of  foreign  gold-seekers 
to  the  tax  imposed  upon  them.  The  license  tax  is 
certainly  a  just  one;  but  the  foreigners  presumed 
upon  their  number  and  strength,  that  they  had  power 
sufficient  to  resist  its  imposition.  The  easy  exci- 
tability of  the  Americans,  upon  any  subject  connected 
with  their  own  soil  is  well  known  ;  and  it  is  exceeding- 
ly strange  that  a  serious  collision  did  not  take  p^ce. 
We  extract  from  the  Alta  Californian,  of  June  1st, 
1850. 

The  Alta  Calif  or  nian  has  Otters  from  Stockton  to 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  227 

May  22d.  On  the  Tuolumne,  but  little  gold  digging 
has  been  effected  since  last  fall  along  the  banks.  The 
gold  is  under  water,  and  preparations  were  making 
by  companies  to  dam  the  streams  to  get  at  it.  This 
work  has  been  actively  going  on  for  five  or  six  months. 
There  is  want  of  men  at  this  kind  of  work,  and  eight 
or  ten  dollars  a  day  is  readily  obtained.  The  dig- 
gings at  Jamestown,  Sonora,  &c.,  have  been  partially 
deserted  on  account  of  new  diggings  discovered  at  Co- 
lumbia, three  miles  from  Sonora,  at  the  last  accounts 
some  two  thousand  persons  had  collected  there,  and 
town  lots  were  selling  at  high  prices. 

Sonora  is  growing  veiy  rapidly,  being  in  the  centre 
*f  an  extensive  mining  region.  It  is  likely  to  be  next 
to  Stockton  in  size  and  importance.  Discoveries  of 
rich  placers  have  been  made  in  its  vicinity  lately ; 
aome  of  the  richest  holes  at  Columbia  are  thirty,  forty, 
and  fifty  feet  deep.  A  serious  difficulty  has  broken 
out  at  Sonora.  A  number  of  foreigners  refused  to 
comply  with  the  law  taxing  them  for  the  privilege  of 
irorking  the  mines.  A  time  was  fixed  by  the  collectoi 
to  summon  a  posse  of  American  citizens  to  prevent 
them  from  working.  The  day  previous  to  the  time 
fixed,  the  foreigners  paraded  with  guns,  &c.,  and  rein- 
forcements of  Americans  were  sent  for  from  the 
neighboring  towns.  A  letter  from  Stockton,  dated 
May  22d,  adds: 

"  In  the  evening,  the  sheriff,  Mr.  Work,  was  ac- 
costed by  a  Mexican,  who  asked  him  if  he  was  not  an 
officer,  or  the  officer  who  intended  to  enforce  the  pay- 
ment of  the  license.  On  replying  that  he  was,  the 
Mexican  made  an  attempt  to  stab  him,  when  a  person 
standing  by,  named  Clark,  with  a  single  stroke  of  a 
bowie  knife,  nearly  severed  his  head  from  his  body. 


228  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Thirty  armed  Americans  soon  arrived  from  Moraoa 
Gulch,  and  the  whole  American  population  were  on 
the  alert  alJ  night. 

"  At  last  accounts  there  were  two  or  three  hundred 
Americans  at  Sonora,  under  arms,  and  others  were 
hourly  arriving.  On  Monday  the  excitement  had 
somewhat  abated.  Hundreds  of  the  Mexicans  and 
Chileans  were  packing  up  and  leaving  for  Stockton. 
Many  of  them  disclaimed  having  had  any  intention 
of  resorting  to  arms,  and  all  were  evidently  more  or 
less  frightened  at  the  aspect  of  affairs.  It  appears 
that  the  Mexicans  who  took  part  in  the  disturbance, 
were  led  on  by  some  hot-headed  Frenchman,  lately 
arrived  from  France,  of  the  Red  Republican  order. 
They  found,  however,  that  the  majority  of  the  Span- 
iards were  not  disposed  to  join  them,  and  it  is  sup- 
posed that  the  whole  affair  will  blow  over  without  any 
rery  serious  consequences.  The  affair  will  probably 
be  a  severe  blow  to  business,  for  the  present,  in  So- 
nora." 

The  Stockton  Times  has  a  letter  from  Sonora,  giv- 
ing the  details  of  this  difficulty.  The  foreigners  said 
they  were  willing  to  pay  four  or  five  dollars  per  month, 
but  that  the  amount  demanded  was  utterly  beyond 
their  power  to  pay.  They  made  this  statement  at  an 
interview  with  the  Governor.  The  letter  goes  on  as 
follows : 

"During  the  discussion,  an  American  who  wished 
to  get  out  of  the  crowd,  began  elbowing  his  way  from 
the  place  where  he  stood,  when  a  Mexican  or  Chilian, 
in  front  of  him,  drew  a  pistol.  In  a  moment  a  iozen 
revolvers  were  out,  and  a  precipitate  retreat  was  made 
by  the  foreigners.  No  shot  w*s  fired,  but  the  Mexi 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  229 

cans  were  alarmed,  and  the  town  was  cleared  in  five 
minutes.  Our  peace  now  seemed  threatened  by  about 
five  thousand  men  outside,  and  no  inconsiderable 
alarm  was  created  in  town.  The  citizens  armed  them- 
selves, and  expresses  were  sent  to  Mormon  Creek  and 
Sullivan's  Diggings,  from  which  places  about  five 
hundred  well  armed  Americans  arrived,  and  marched 
through  the  stre€ta  with  guns  and  rifles  on  their 
shoulders.  The  demonstration  was  sufficient ;  the 
crowds  in  the  vicinity  soon  dispersed,  and  quiet  was 
restored.  The  only  thing  to  be  feared,  is  the  mis- 
guided zeal  of  our  own  citizens,  who  although  gene- 
rally sympathizing  with  the  discontent  occasioned  by 
the  unjust  tax,  are  incensed  that  the  foreigners  should 
presume  to  take  the  law  into  their  own  hands,  and 
may  not  be  willing  to  allow  the  affair  to  rest  where 
it  is. 

A  serious  affray  took  place  this  afternoon,  in  which 
a  Mexican  was  seriously  wounded.  A  man  was 
noticed  parading  the  streets  with  two  or  three  pistols 
and  a  knife  in  his  belt ;  the  man  was  intoxicated,  and 
the  sheriff  arrested  him,  or  rather  took  his  arms  from 
him.  Yv'hile  in  the  act,  a  Mexican  came  up  behind 
and  made  a  stab  at  the  officer  with  a  large  knife.  The 
murderous  intent  was  frustrated  by  a  bystander,  who, 
with  a  bowie  knife,  struck  the  man,  wounding  him 
severely.  Mr.  Work,  the  sheriff,  was  happily  un- 
touched. 

This  state  of  affairs,  if  allowed  to  last,  will  ruin 
the  prosperity  of  the  whole  southern  mines,  and  your 
own  town  of  Stockton  will  be  the  first  to  suffei 
thereby. 

Monday,  May  20. — A  guard  was  kept  up  all  las* 

17 


230  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

night,  but  every  thing  was  quiet,  and  as  I  said  yester 
day,  I  believe  the  danger,  if  any  was  to  be  appre- 
hended, had  passed  away.  But  the  excitable  feelings 
of  the  hundreds  of  Americans  now  under  arms  had  to 
be  indulged,  and  hearing  that  a  camp,  mostly  com- 
posed of  foreigners,  situated  about  seven  miles  from 
Sonora,  had  mounted  Mexican,  Chilian,  and  French 
flags,  (what  truth  there  is  in  the  report,  I  know  not,) 
they  have  started  out  this  morning  to  avenge  the  in- 
sult, and  chastise  the  temerity  of  the  "  greasers"  and 
"  outsiders."  I  sincerely  trust  there  will  be  good 
sense  enough  in  the  party  to  refrain  from  wanton  ag- 
gression. 

Grov.  Burnett  has  sent  Hon.  John  Bidwell  and  Judge 
H.  A.  Schoolcraft  in  charge  of  the  block  of  stone  con- 
tributed by  California  to  the  Washington  Monument. 
It  is  thus  described : 

"  This  block  of  gold-bearing  quartz,  is  from  the 
Mariposa  diggings,  near  Fremont's  mines,  and  weighs 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds.  In  shape 
it  is  irregular,  approaching  a  square,  its  sides  varying 
from  eighteen  to  twenty  inches  in  length.  It  averages 
in  thickness  nine  inches — across  its  face  diagonally  it 
is  twenty-one  inches  by  measurement.  Very  little 
gold  is  perceptible  to  the  naked  eye,  but  it  is  estimated 
to  contain  about  eighty  dollars  worth." 

Since  the  above  events  were  recorded,  another  most 
disastrous  fire  has  occurred  in  the  city  of  San  Fran- 
cisco. It  broke  out  in  the  Sacramento  House,  situated 
in  the  wealthiest  portion  of  the  city,  on  the  17th  of 
June,  1850,  at  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  in  the  short 
spaco  of  three  hours,  about  two-thirds  of  the  wealthiest 
district  was  consumed.  The  shipping  in  the  harboi 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  231 

WAS  only  saved  by  the  greatest  exertion.  The  entire 
loss  is  estimated  at  from  three  to  four  millions  of 
dollars.  This  event  occurring  so  soon  after  the  pre- 
vious fire,  has  had  a  depressing  and  gloomy  effect  upon 
the  business  operations,  not  only  of  San  Francisco, 
but  of  Sacramento  City  also.  Many  of  the  heaviest 
trading  houses  have  been  entirely  ruined ;  and  others 
brought  to  the  verge  of  it.  Several  individuals,  includ- 
ing the  Mayor  of  the  city,  distinguished  themselves 
by  their  noble  and  generous  exertions  to  arrest  the 
progress  of  the  fire  and  save  property. 

The  emigration  to  California  by  way  of  the  over- 
land route  is  six  times  as  great  during  the  present 
year  as  it  was  in  1849.  The  last  company  left  Coun 
cil  Bluffs,  on  the  15th  of  June.  They  brought  up  the 
rear  of  near  four  thousand  wagons,  ten  or  twelve 
thousand  persons,  and  about  twenty  thousand  head  of 
horses  and  cattle.  The  continued  success  of  the  gold 
diggers  and  the  extraordinary  prospect  in  regard  tc 
the  quantity  that  will  be  obtained  during  the  mining 
season  of  1850,  serves  to  keep  up  the  excitement  and 
to  allure  the  emigrant  to  the  golden  land. 

There  is  a  prospect  that  the  seat  of  government  of 
California  will  be  removed  from  San  Jose'  to  the  pro- 
posed new  city  of  Vallejo,  about  twenty  miles  above 
San  Francisco,  near  the  Straits  of  Carquinez,  and  at 
the  junction  of  the  Napa  and  San  Pablo  Bays. 
The  new  city  has  already  been  surveyed,  and  a 
company  of  influential  capitalists  organized,  with  the 
determination  to  "go  ahead,"  whether  the  capital  is 
or  is  not  established  at  this  point.  The  site  no  doubt 
presents  many  advantages  for  a  large  commercial  city, 
not  possessed  by  San  Francisco.  The  distance  from 


232  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

the  "  Golden  Gates,"  (as  the  entrance  from  the  Pacific 
to  the  succession  of  bays  connected  with  the  harbor 
of  San  Francisco  is  termed)  is  about  the  same  as  San 
Francisco.  The  harbor  is  one  of  the  safest  and  most 
commodious  in  the  world,  and  the  commissioners 
appointed  by  the  general  government  to  make  surveys 
and  decide  upon  the  best  location,  have  to  recommend 
Mare's  Island,  half  a  mile  from  Vallejo,  as  the  naval 
depot  of  the  United  States  in  California.  The  climate 
of  Vallejo  is  delightful,  and  the  place  is  never  sub- 
jected to  those  strong  and  cold  northerly  winds  which 
render  San  Francisco  so  disagreeable  as  a  residence 
and  so  dangerous  as  a  commercial  city.  There  is 
plenty  of  marble  for  building  purposes  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  Vallejo,  and  plenty  of  limestone  at  a  con- 
venient distance,  and  easily  obtainable.  The  new 
city  will  command  a  most  beautiful  view  of  San  Pablo 
Bay  and  of  the  country  adjacent,  and  the  Napa  valley 
(through  which  the  Napa  River  flows,  and  near  the 
mouth  of  which  the  city  is  located,)  and  the  Sonoma 
valley  in  the  vicinity  are  among  the  most  fertile  in 
California.  Near  Vallejo  are  also  mineral  springs, 
possessing  similar  properties,  and  said  to  equal  the 
celebrated  Congress  Springs  at  Saratoga. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  288 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE  MINERALOGICAL  AND    OTHER  CHARACTERISTICS  Of 
GOLD,  AND  THE   MODE  OF    DISTINGUISHING  IT  WHEN 

POUND;  TOGETHER  WITH  THE  ASSAY,   REDUCTION, 
AND  REFINEMENT  OF  GOLD. 

FOR  the  purpose  of  presenting  all  that  is  connected 
with  that  precious  metal,  that  has  built  up  a  state 
within  a  few  years,  and  of  making  the  reader  fully 
acquainted  with  all  that  is  necessary  for  the  gold- 
seeker  to  know,  we  will  now  describe,  in  some  detail, 
the  natural  history,  character  of  gold,  and  the  mode 
of  determining  its  presence  and  value. 

Gold  invariably  exhibits  something  of  the  peculiar 
yellow  color  which  it  is  known  to  possess  in  a  pure 
state  ;  but  this  color  is  modified  by  various  metals 
with  which  it  may  be  mixed.  Thus  it  may  be  described 
as  having  various  shades  of  gold-yellow ;  occasionally 
approaching  silver-white,  occasionally  resembling 
brass-yellow  of  every  degree  of  intensity,  and  even 
verging  on  steel-gray  in  some  specimens  from  South 
America. 

The  lustre  of  gold  is  highly  metallic  and  shining, 
and  owing  to  the  small  amount  of  oxidation  at  its  sur- 
face, it  preserves  its  shining  lustre  even  after  long 
exposure  in  contact  with  other  substances.  Thus  the 
shining  particles  are  often  seen  in  sand  when  the 
quantity  is  barely  sufficient  to  repay  the  cost  of  work- 
ing, notwithstanding  the  value  of  the  metal.  Even 


234  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

however,  if  the  surface  is  dull,  the  true  color  and  appear- 
ance are  easily  restored  by  rubbing,  and  when  polished 
it  takes  a  very  vivid  lustre,  which  is  preserved  for  a 
long  time  in  the  atmosphere. 

Although  in  the  divir.ion  which  has  been  intro- 
duced into  gold-yellow,  brass-yellow,  and  grayish- 
yellow,  native  gold  seems  with  some  slight  modifica- 
tions to  agree  with  the  geological  relations  of  its 
varieties,  yet  this  mode  of  arrangement  deserves  little 
gerious  notice.  The  gold-yellow  varieties  comprise 
the  specimens  of  the  highest  gold-yellow  colors,  though 
there  are  some  among  them  which  have  rather  a  pale 
color ;  they  include  most  of  the  crystals  and  of  the 
imitative  shapes,  in  fact  the  greater  part  of  the  species 
itself.  The  brass-yellow  native  gold  is  confined  to 
some  of  the  regular  and  imitative  shapes  of  a  pale 
color  (which  is  generally  called  brass-yellow,)  and,  as 
it  is  said,  of  a  less  specific  gravity  than  the  preceding 
one ;  but  this  does  not  seem  to  have  ever  been  ascer- 
tained by  direct  experiment.  The  grayish-yellow 
native  gold  occurs  only  in  those  small  flat  grains  which 
are  mixed  with  the  native  platina,  and  possess  a  yellow 
color  a  little  inclining  to  gray  ;•  they  are  said  to  have 
the  greatest  specific  gravity  of  them  all.  The  real 
foundation  of  this  distribution  seems  to  be  the  opinion 
that  the  first  are  the  purest,  the  second  mixed  with  a 
little  silver,  and  the  third  with  platina.  It  is  not 
known  whether  the  latter  admixture  really  takes  place, 
but  it  is  certain  that  several  varieties  of  gold-yellow 
native  gold  contain  an  admixture  of  silver  * 

In  color  and  lustre,  inexperienced  persons  might 
mistake  various  substances  for  gold ;  these  are  chiefly 

•  Ifohi'  Mineral.  »gy,  by  Haidinger,  vol.  ii.  p.  43ft 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  285 

iron  and  copper  pyrites,  but  from  them  it  may  be 
readily  distinguished,  being  softer  than  steel  and  very 
malleable  ;  whereas  iron  pyrites  is  harder  than  steel, 
and  copper  pyrites  is  not  malleable  ;  for  although  the 
latter  mineral  yields  easily  to  the  point  of  a  knife,  it 
crumbles  when  we  attempt  to  cut  or  hammer  it,  whereas 
gold  may  be  separated  in  thin  slices,  or  beaten  out 
into  thin  plates  by  the  hammer.  There  ca,n  thus  be 
no  possible  difficulty  in  distinguishing  these  various 
minerals  in  a  native  state,  even  with  nothing  but  ac 
ordinary  steel  knife.  From  any  other  minerals,  as 
mica,  whose  presence  has  also  misled  some  persons, 
gold  is  easily  known  by  very  simple  experiments  with 
a  pair  of  scales,  or  even  by  careful  washing  with  water, 
for  gold  being  much  heavier  than  any  other  substance 
found  with  it  (except  platina  and  one  or  two  extremely 
rare  metals,)  will  always  fall  first  to  the  bottom,  if 
shaken  in  water  with  mud,  while  mica  will  generally 
be  the  last  material  to  fall.  This  is  the  case, 
however  fine  or  few  the  particles  of  either  mineral 
may  be.  , 

Gold  therefore  can  be  distinguished  by  its  relative 
weight  or  specific  gravity,  and  by  its  relative  hardness, 
from  other  bodies  which  resemble  it.  It  is  described 
generally  as  soft,  completely  malleable  and  flexible, 
but  more  accurately  as  softer  than  iron,  copper  or 
silver,  but  harder  than  tin  or  lead.  It  is  useful  to 
know  facts  of  this  kind,  as  a  simple  experiment  that 
can  be  made  with  instruments  at  hand,  is  often  more 
'••aluable  than  a  much  more  accurate  examination 
requiring  materials  not  immediately  available.  Thus 
if  it  is  found  that  a  specimen  (perhaps  a  small  scale  or 
spangle)  is  readily  scratched  by  silver,  copper  or  iron, 
and  scratches  tin  and  lead,  it  may,  if  of  the  right 


286  HISTORY  OP  CALIFORNIA. 

color  and  sinking  rapidly  in  water,  be  fairly  assumed 
to  be  gold. 

The  weight  of  gold,  as  of  all  substances,  it  is  con- 
venient to  estimate  relatively,  and  in  comparison  with 
the  weight  of  an  equal  volume  of  water.  The  relative 
weight,  or  specific  gravity,  as  it  is  called,  of  gold,  is 
remarkably  high,  the  lightest  varieties  being  twelve 
times  heavier  than  water,  and  pure  gold  nineteen 
times.  This  is  expressed  by  saying  that  the  specific 
gravity  of  native  gold  is  12 — 19,  and  the  number 
determined  by  comparing  the  weight  of  the  mineral  in 
water  and  air. 

As  the  value  of  gold  depends  almost  entirely  on  its 
specific  gravity,  and  this  test,  therefore,  is  of  the 
greatest  practical  importance,  it  will  not  be  out  of 
place  if  we  here  explain  some  very  simple  apparatus 
for  the  determination  of  this  point. 

If  the  specimen  then  is  large  enough  to  be  sus 
pended  conveniently  by  a  thread,  weigh  it  first  in  air 
by  a  fine  balance,  expressing  the  result  in  grains,  and 
taking  care  previously  to  remove  dust  or  loosely  adher- 
ing particles.  Then  suspend  it  by  a  horsehair  from 
the  scale-pan  (it  is  convenient  to  have  a  hook  attached 
to  it  for  this  purpose,)  and  thus  suspended,  immerse 
it  and  re-weigh  it  in  water,  taking  care  that  it  is 
covered  on  all  sides  by  at  least  half  an  inch  of  water, 
and  carefully  brushing  off  with  a  feather  any  bubbles 
of  air  that  adhere  to  the  surface.  The  results  may 
then  be  noted  as  follows : — 

Weight  of  substance  in  the  air  in  grains    .... 

Deduct  weight  of  ditto  in  water 

Difference     .     .    . 

This  result  gives   the  weight  of  a  bulk  of  water 


BISTORT    OF    CALIFORNIA.  237 

equal  to  that  of  the  specimen,  and  by  dividing  the 
weight  of  the  specimen  in  air  by  this  number,  the 
specific  gravity  is  obtained. 

weight  of  substance  in  air 
Specnc  g™vity     weight  Qf  ^  bulk  of  water 

If,  however,  the  substance  is  in  the  form  of  fine 
sand,  or  very  small  lumps,  it  is  better,  after  weighing 
it  carefully,  to  take  a  small  dry  phial  furnished  with  a 
stopper ;  counterpoise  this  phial  accurately  in  the 
weight-scale  by  shot  or  strips  of  lead,  then  fill  it  com- 
pletely with  pure  'ivator.  taking  care  that  no  bubbles 
of  air  are  left  in,  and  weigh  the  quantity  of  water  it 
contains :  afterwards  empty  the  bottle  and  dry  it 
inside. 

Next  fill  the  bottle  about  two-thirds  full  of  the 
powder  to  be  examined,  weigh  this  and  record  the 
weight.  Then  fill  the  bottle  once  more  with  water, 
taking  care,  as  before,  that  all  bubbles  are  expelled 
and  none  of  the  powder  washed  out.  Once  more 
weigh  it. 

We  have  then  to  make  the  following  calculation : 

Weight  of  powder  and  water  in  grains    = 
Deduct  weight  of  powder  alone  = 


Difference  (weight  of  water  left  in  bottle)  = 

Weight  of  bottle  full  of  water  in  grains     = 
Weight  of  water  left  in  bottle  = 

Difference  (weight  of  water  displaced  )  _ 
by,  and  equal  in  bulk  to,  powder)       }  ~~ 

The  specific  gravity^  ^ight  of  powder  in  air  

weight  of  water  displaced. 

It  may  be  useful   to  know  the  specific  gravity  of 

various  substances  at  all  resembling  gold  in  weight  01 
L 


238  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA, 

appearance,  and  we  therefore  append  the  following 
short  table.  The  specific  gravity  of  water  is  assumed 
to  be  unity  : — 


Osmium  .... 

21* 

Platinum     .     .     . 

19J—  22  not  hammered. 

Iridium  .... 

ISA 

Gold  

15|—  19J        ditto 

Mercury.     .     .     . 

13* 

Palladium   .     .    . 

11* 

Lead  

HJ 

Rhodium     .     .     . 

10* 

Silver  

10 

Copper    .... 

7|-8 

Brass      .... 

8* 

Lead  ore  (galena) 

TJ 

Copper  pyrites 

5 

Iron  pyrites      .     . 

4 

Diamond      .     .     . 

3J 

Sand        .... 

2f—  3 

By  the  help  of  this  table  the  value  of  auriferous 
sand  may  also  be  in  some  degree  estimated,  since,  as 
will  be  seen,  the  specific  gravity  of  most  of  the  sands 
is  under  3,  while  that  of  the  most  impure  gold  is  12 ; 
BO  that  if  the  specific  gravity  of  the  sands  them- 
selves, when  experimented  on,  is  much  greater  than 
that  of  ordinary  sand,  it  is  likely  that  the  excess  will 
be  for  the  most  part  gold,  in  a  district  otherwise  known 
to  be  auriferous :  the  greater  the  specific  gravity,  too, 
the  greater  probability  there  is,  of  this  being  the  cause. 
It  may  also  be  worth  while  to  mention  here,  that  the 
specific  gravity  of  those  pepitas  or  lumps  of  gold  which 
present  a  fine  yellow  color  varies  generally  from  14T7a 
to  18T80  ;  but  when  much  paler  they  may  range  as  km 

*  A  very  rough  estimate  of  the  value  of  specimens  of  native  gold 
may  be  obtained  by  multiplying  the  specific  gravity  by  4 ;  the  raral 
gives  the  value  In  shillings  nearly. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIJuRNIA.  289 

as  12|,  which  is  that  of  a  mineral  called  electrum, 
which  will  be  described  presently,  and  which  is  a  mix- 
ture of  silver  and  gold. 

When  a  piece  of  gold  is  broken  (which  is  not  done 
without  difficulty — greater  in  proportion  to  its  purity,) 
the  fractured  edges  are  very  uneven  and  torn,  exhibit- 
ing a  peculiar  fibrous  appearance,  known  to  mineralo- 
gists as  "fine  hackly."  This  fracture  indicates  that 
the  mineral  is  torn  asunder  and  not  really  broken, 
and  is  a  proof  of  considerable  toughness. 

The  form  in  which  gold  is  found  is  various.  -  It  is 
sometimes  crystalline,  in  eight  or  twelve-sided  regular 
figures,  passing  into  cubes,  but  the  crystals  are  gene- 
rally small  and  rare.  In  case  of  such  crystals  being 
found,  it  is  well  worth  knowing  that  they  possess  a 
value  as  mineral  specimens  far  beyond  that  of  the 
gold  which  they  contain. 

More  frequently  the  metal  is  found  in  lumps  or 
grains,  called  by  the  Spaniards  pepitas,  varying  in 
size  from  that  of  a  pin's  head  to  masses  weighing,  as 
has  been  already  mentioned,  nearly  one  hundred 
pounds  troy.  The  term  pepita  is  only  applied  to 
grains  of  some  magnitude,  and  the  most  common 
limits  of  size  are  from  that  of  a  small  pin's  head  to 
that  of  a  nut  or  gooseberry. 

When  much  smaller  and  still  rounded,  they  are 
called  gold  dust,  and  when  flattened,  scales  or  span- 
gles. In  nature,  and  when  seen  in  veins  of  quartz, 
gold  often  occurs  foliated,  or  in  leafy  expansions  of 
extreme  thinness,  or  in  branchy  (dendritic]  forms, 
probably  made  up  of  minute  crystals.  It  is  in  the 
form  of  very  minute  grains  that  the  metal  is  generally 
disseminated  through  rocks  and  auriferous  ores  of 
various  metals,  and  these  are  reduced  according  to 


240  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

circumstances  in  methods  that  will  be  alluded  to  in  • 
future  chapter.  In  pepitas  and  small  grains  it  is  car- 
ried down  by  streams  and  deposited  in  their  beds,  the 
pepitas  being  usually  most  abundant  where  there  is 
reason  to  suppose  considerable  disintegration  of  the 
surface,  and  where  the  action  of  denuding  causes  to  a 
great  extent  is  evident.  The  coast  of  Africa  and  the 
rivers  of  Europe  are  examples  of . the  former  case, 
while  the  Siberian  deposits  and  those  of  California 
would  appear  to  belong  to  the  latter. 

The  ^following  are  examples  of  the  constituent  parts 
of  various  specimens  of  gold  obtained  from  different 
gold  districts,  and  will  form  a  useful  guide  for  com- 
parison. 

Table  showing  the  Composition  of  Native  Gold.* 


Locality.  '  Gold.  jSUrer.  Copper.  •  Iron. 


Auriferous  sand  of  Schabrowski,  near  KatheO 

rinenburg,  Siberia  (O.  Rose). j  ;.  98-76      0-18 

Boruschka,  near  Nijny-Tagilsk,  Siberia  (Rose)-  •  •    94-41       5-23 

Braril  (Darcet) ,  94-00      6-86 

Beresovsk,  Siberia  (Rose) ••    93-78      5-94 

Sand  near  Miask,  Siberia  (Rose) 92-47      7-27 

Bogota  (Bonssingault) •'  92-00      8-00 

Washings  near  Miask,  Siberia  (Rose) j  89-35  •  10-66 

Gold  of  Senegal  (Darcet) !  86-97  110-53 

Auriferous  sand,  Nijny-Tagilsk,  Siberia  (Rose)  •  • .  83-85  1  16.16 

Trinidad  gold,  (Bonssinganlt) '  82-40  I  17-60 

Transylvanian  gold  (Ditto) 64-52  ;  35-48 

Mine  of  Sinarowski  in  the  Altai  (Rose) I  60.08  138-38 


The  gold  from  California,  according  to  the  assay 
of  Mr.  Warwick  of  New  York,  yields  89-58  per  cent, 
pure  gold,  and  is  therefore,  about  equal  to  that  ob- 
tained from  the  washings  of  Miask  (the  richest  district 
in  Western  Siberia,  and  that  producing  the  largest 
pepitas,)  and  superior,  as  the  assayer  remarks,  to  the 
gold  dust  from  Senegal. 

There  is  a  remarkable  mixture  of  native  gold  with 

*  Abridged  from  Dufresnoy's  "  Mineralogie." 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  241 

silver  occasionally  found  in  Siberia,  and  known  under 
the  name  of  electrum.  Its  color  is  pale  brass-yellow, 
passing  into  silver-white.  It  occurs  in  small  plates 
and  imperfect  cubes,  and  possesses  many  of  the  charac- 
ters of  gold,  but  it  consists  only  of  64  per  cent,  of  that 
metal,  and  36  per  cent,  silver.  It  is  at  once  known 
by  its  low  specific  gravity,  which  does  not  exceed  12. 

Other  mixtures  of  gold  are  (1)  a  rhodium-gola, 
found  in  Mexico,  and  containing  34  to  43  per  cent,  of 
rhodium,  having  a  specific  gravity  of  15J — 16-8,  and 
a  clear,  dirty  yellow  color ;  and  (2)  a  palladium-gold 
(containing  9.85  per  cent,  palladium,  and  4'17  per 
cent,  silver)  found  in  Brazil  and  elsewhere  in  South 
America,  in  small-  crystalline  grains  of  pale  yellow 
color.  The  auriferous  ores  of  tellurium,  including 
silver,  have  hitherto  only  been  found  in  Transylvania. 
Their  color  is  steel-gray,  and  they  tarnish  on  exposure- 
The  variety  called  graphic-gold,  or  graphic  tellurium, 
consists  of  about  60  per  cent,  of  tellurium,  30  per  cent, 
gold,  and  10  per  cent,  silver,  and  is  worked  chiefly 
as  an  ore  of  gold.  Another  variety,  "yellow  gold 
glance,"  yields  somewhat  less  tellurium,  gold  and 
silver,  and  as  much  as  20  per  cent,  of  lead. 

Having  now  explained  at  some  length  the  more 
manifest  characteristics  of  gold,  namely,  its  color, 
hardness,  and  specific  gravity,  it  is  necessary,  before 
explaining  the  mo<Je  of  separating  it  from  associated 
minerals,  that  we  should  here  give  some  account  of 
the  behavior  of  this  metal  under  the  blowpipe,  and 
when  exposed  to  simple  chemical  tests.  The  assay 
of  gold  and  its  accurate  analysis,  we  postpone  for  the 
present. 

The  method  of  blowpipe  analysis,  although  exceed 
ingly  useful,  is  not  absolutely  nc  cessary  in  the  cas« 


242  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

of  gold,  because  of  the  many  readier  ways  of  dete? 
mining  the  metal,  but  it  seems  advisable  to  state  the 
appearances  presented.  All  the  varieties  are  readily 
fusible  into  a  globule,  which  when  the  gold  is  pure,  is 
unaltered  by  the  continuance  of  the  heat.  In  this 
respect  it  differs  entirely  from  iron  and  copper  pyrites, 
which,  on  being  exposed  to  the  flame,  give  off  sulphur 
fumes  and  undergo  considerable  change.  In  the  case 
of  gold  containing  other  metals,  these,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  silver;  may  generally  be  got  rid  of  by  con- 
tinuing the  heat  in  the  exterior  flame  with  the  addi- 
tion of  a  little  nitre.  Before  the  oxy-hydrogen  blow- 
pipe, the  metal  is  volatilized  in  the  form  of  a  purple 
oxide. 

Gold  is  not  acted  on  by  any  of  the  acids  alone. 
When  exposed  to  the  mixture  of  nitric  with  hydro- 
3hloric  acid  (in  the  proportion  of  one  part  nitric  to  four 
of  hydrochloric)  called  aqua  regia,  it  dissolves  without 
residue,  the  solution  giving  a  purple  precipitate  with 
protochloride  of  tin,  and  a  brown  precipitate  with  pro- 
tosulphate  of  iron.  Electrum,  the  mixture  of  silver 
with  gold  above  alluded  to,  is  only  partially  soluble  in 
aqua  regia,  giving  a  residue  of  chloride  of  silver.  The 
solution  is  acted  on  by  protosulphate  of  iron,  as  already 
explained.  e 

The  following  simple  mode  of  detecting  attempts 
at  imposition  in  gold  dust  is  worthy  of  being  recorded 
in  this  place. 

Place  a  little  gold  dust  in  a  glass  tube  or  earthen- 
ware saucer,  and  pour  nitric  acid  upon  it;  then 
hold  the  glass  or  saucer  over  a  flame,  or  upon  a  few 
embers,  until  red  flames  (nitric  vapors)  arise;  if  it 
be  pure  gold,  the  liquid  will  not  become  discolored ; 
but  if  pyrites  or  brass-filings  should  have  been  m»xe^ 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA,  248 

with  it,  the  acid  will  become  turbid,  green,  and  black, 
discharging  bubbles  of  gas.  After  the  ebullition  has 
ceased,  the  residue  should  be  washed  with  water,  and 
acid  again  poured  upon  it,  when  the  same  effect  may 
be  observed,  but  in  a  less  degree ;  and  if  the  experi- 
ment be  repeated  till  all  effervescence  ceases,  it  will 
finally  leave  the  gold  dust  pure. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

ADDITIONAL   RECENT   EVENTS. 

THE  history  of  the  laws  of  a  State  affords  the  best  idea 
of  its  social  condition — present  and  prospective ;  for 
they  are  framed  from  the  necessity  of  circumstances 
and  the  demands  of  the  inhabitants.  We  may,  there- 
fore, see  the  condition  and  the  progress  of  the  Cali- 
forniuns  in  their  legislative  transactions. 

The  California  Legislature  adjourned  on  the  22d 
April.  They  have  passed  a  law  creating  a  State 
assayer,  until  a  mint  be  established  in  California. 
Among  the  one  hundred  and  forty-three  acts  and 
joint  resolutions  passed,  we  notice  the  following : 

To  incorporate  the  cities  of  Benecia,  San  Diego,  San 
Jose,  Los  Angeles,  San  Francisco,  Sonoma,  and  Santa 
Barbara,  and  a  general  act  for  the  incorporation  of 
cities ;  concerning  the  State  revenue,  etc,  and  its  man- 
agement ;  creating  loans  temporarily,  appropriations, 
and  other  fiscal  acts ;  relating  to  the  appointment  of 
pilots,  regulating  the  duties  of  harbor  masters,  declar- 
ing certain  rivers,  etc.,  navigable,  creating  health 


244  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

officers  for  San  Francisco,  creating  a  marine  hosptai, 
regulating  quarantine  at  San  Francisco,  providing  for 
the  inspection  of  steamboats ;  subdividing  the  State 
into  counties,  establishing  county  seats  and  providing 
for  the  complete  organization  of  all  the  counties ;  or« 
ganizing  the  supreme  court,  providing  for  the  early  pub- 
lication of  the  laws,  organizing  district  courts  through- 
out the  State,  establishing  a  municipal  court  in  San 
Francisco,  abolishing  all  laws  in  force  in  the  State,  ex- 
cept such  as  were  passed  by  this  Legislature,  adopting 
the  common  law,  regulating  the  interest  of  money, 
public  ferries,  notaries  public,  jails  and  jailers, 
limited  partnerships,  roads  and  highways,  public  elec- 
tions, volunteer  companies,  wills,  militia,  liens  of 
mechanics  and  others,  descents  and  distributions,  bills 
of  exchange  and  promissory  notes,  constables,  coro- 
ners, guardians,  fraudulent  conveyances  and  contracts, 
the  rights  of  husband  and  wife,  incorporation  of  col- 
leges, marriages,  auctioneers,  government  and  protec- 
tion of  the  Indians,  settlement  of  the  estates  of  de- 
ceased persons,  proceedings  against  debtor  by  attach- 
ment ;  creating  the  office  of  State  assayer,  melter 
and  refiner  of  gold,  to  regulate  Senatorial  and  As- 
sembly districts,  prescribing  the  mode  of  maintaining 
and  defending  possessory  actions  on  lands  belonging 
to  the  United  States ;  to  prevent  the  importation  of 
convicts ;  for  the  better  regulation  of  the  mines  and  the 
government  of  foreign  miners,  the  national  Washington 
monument,  pay  of  chaplain,  the  Pacific  railway,  and 
concerning  grants  of  land  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment to  commissioned  officers  who  served  in  the  late 
war  with  Mexico. 

Here  we  have  all  the  machinery  necessary  for  the  full 
regulation  of  a  large,  commercial,  agricultural,  manu- 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  245 

facturing,  and  mining  community.  The  session  of  the 
Legislature  must  have  been  laborious,  indeed ;  but 
the  members  have  acquitted  themselves  of  their  ar- 
duous duties  rapidly  and  well.  One  great  measure 
ad-pted  by  the  Legislature  was  the  substitution  of 
the  common  law  for  the  uncertain  civil  law  which 
existed  in  California  when  ceded  to  the  United  States. 
The  whole  legal  administration  will  now  conform  to 
that  of  most  of  the  c-ther  States  of  the  Union.  The 
provisions,  in  the  Constitution  for  the  purpose  of  edu- 
cation, have  been  nobly  carried  out  by  an  act  for  the 
incorporation  of  colleges. 

Agriculture  in  California  appears  to  be  improving, 
and  as  it  is  getting  to  be  as  profitable  as  any  thing 
else,  it  is  attracting  increased  attention.  Boxes  of 
garden  seeds  which  had  cost  nine  dollars,  have  been 
sold  for  one  hundred  dollars,  and  scythes  which  cost 
three  dollars,  sold  for  forty-five  dollars.  The  seeds 
which  were  sent  around  Cape  Horn,  were  almost  use- 
less, while  those  which  went  over  the  Isthmus,  her- 
metically sealed,  came  up  first.  One  man  near  San 
Jose,  has  made  fifty  thousand  dollars  by  raising  pota- 
toes. What  toil  in  digging  and  washing  gold  would 
be  necessary  to  realize  that  amount ! 

Among  the  recent  mining  incidents,  the  following 
is 'remarkable: — Last  winter,  three  men  accidentally 
struck  upon  a  rich  deposit  of  gold,  in  a  gulch  about 
twelve  miles  from  Knight's  Ferry,  on  the  Stanislaus 
River,  and  four  or  five  miles  back  from  it.  They 
worked  this  vein  with  great  success,  managing  to  keep 
it  a  secret,  until  an  Indian,  wandering  through  the 
locality,  discovered  the  secret,  and  communicated  it 
to  his  tribe.  The  next  day,  several  hundred  Indians 
fell  to  work,  with  the  same  success ;  but  as  they  spent 
L*  18 


246  HISTORY   tF  CALIFORNIA. 

their  earnings  in  gambling  and  drinking  at  night, 
they  incautiously  let  out  the  secret,  and  it  spread 
among  the  whites.  The  latter,  without  scruple,  took 
possession  of  the  ground,  and  set  the  Indians  adrift, 
An  alcalde  was  elected,  the  ground  staked  off,  and 
allotted  to  the  several  claimants.  This  gulch,  although 
rifled  of  its  richest  treasures,  afforded  good  digging 
for  a  large  number  of  persons,  for  some  weeks,  many 
carrying  away,  when  the  water  failed,  a  thousand 
dollars  and  upwards,  as  the  result  of  their  labors. 
The  three  discoverers  of  the  gulch,  took  away  with 
them  about  forty  pounds  of  gold  to  each  man,  all 
scraped  up  in  the  short  space  of  seven  weeks. 

Imitation  lumps  of  gold  have  been  made  and  brought 
into  circulation  in  California.  The  State  Assayer 
states  that  above  forty  specimens  have  been  brought 
to  his  notice.  They  are  generally  in  size  from  four 
to  five  ounces  to  a  pound  in  weight — quartz,  and  every 
thing  else  necessary  to  make  them  look  right,  properly 
intermixed. 

It  has  been  definitely  settled  that  gold  does  exist  in 
the  vicinity  of  San  Jose*.  Specimens  have  boen  taken 
to  San  Francisco. 

Several  artesian  wells  have  been  constructed  at  San 
Francisco,  since  the  second  great  fire,  and  it  is  thought 
that  others  will  soon  add  to  the  comfort  and  conve- 
nience of  the  people  of  that  city.  The  want  of  good 
water  for  drinking  purposes,  has  been  the  most  serious 
objection  to  San  Francisco  as  a  place  of  residence ; 
and  additional  incentive  to  exertion  in  the  matter  is 
furnished  by  the  constant  apprehension  of  destructive 


*  The  Alta  Calif&rnian,  of  the  1st  of  May,  1850,  famishes  us  with 
an  interesting  account  of  the  origin  and  meaning  of  the  name*  of 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  247 

Coal  Las  been  discovered  in  California,  in  various 
places,  and  is  reported  to  abound  in  considerable 
quantities  in  the  neighborhood  of  San  Francisco 
Every  day  developes  some  new  wealth  of  this  land  of 

places  in  the  new  State.  We  have  elsewhere  alluded  to  the  name 
California,  as  being  derived  from  caliente  and  fornalla,  two  Spanish 
words,  together  signifying  hot  furnace. 

Pueblo  de  los  Angeles— City  of  the  Angels,  So  named  from  the  fer- 
iility  of  the  soii,  the  geniality  of  the  climate,  &c. 

San  Diego,  Santa  Barbara,  San  Luis  Obispo,  Santa  Clara,  Santa 
Cruz,  San  Francisco,  were  all  originally  Catholic  missionary  stations 
and  were  so  named  by  the  priests. 

Monterey  signifies  literally  king  of  forests,  and  was  so  called  in 
honor  of  Count  Monterey,  as  well  as  from  the  neighboring  forest  of 
massive  pines  and  other  trees. 

Contra  Costa,  the  name  of  a  county,  signifies  opposite  coast,  from 
its  being  opposite  San  Francisco.  Mount  Diablo,  which  is  in  this 
county,  was  named  from  the  following  circumstance : 

In  180G  a  military  expedition  from  San  Francisco  marched  against 
the  tribe  "Bolgones,"  who  were  encamped  at  the  foot  of  the  mount ; 
the  Indians  were  prepared  to  receive  the  expedition,  and  a  hot  en- 
gagement ensued  in  the  large  hollow  fronting  the  western  side  of  the 
mount.  As  the  victory  was  about  to  be  decided  in  favor  of  the  Indians, 
an  unknown  personage,  decorated  with  the  most  extraordinary  plu- 
mage, and  making  divers  movements,  suddenly  appeared  near  the 
combatants.  The  Indians  were  victorious,  and  the  incognitio  (Puy) 
departed  toward  the  mount.  The  defeated  soldiers,  on  ascertaining 
that  the  sj  nit  went  through  the  same  ceremony  daily  and  at  all  hours, 
named  the  mount  "Diablo,"  in  allusion  to  its  mysterious  inhabitant, 
that  continued  thus  to  make  his  strange  appearance,  until  the  tribe 
was  subdued  by  the  troops  in  command  of  Lieutenant  Gabriol  Mo- 
raga,  in  a  second  campaign  of  the  same  year.  In  the  aboriginal 
tongue  "  Puy"  signifies  "  Evil  Spirit ;"  in  Spanish  it  means  Diablo, 
and  Devil  in  the  Anglo-American  language. 

Calaveras  signifies  skulls,  and  the  creek  thus  styled  was  named  from 
the  fact  of  three  thousand  skulls  having  been  found  lying  on  its  banks 
by  its  early  discoverers.  They  were  the  remnants  of  a  great  battle  be- 
tween the  Indians. 

Tuolumne,  which  has  been  spelt  so  many  different  ways  in  tht 
letters  from  California,  is  a  corruption  of  the  Indian  word  "  talma- 
lamme,"  a  cluster  of  stone  wigwams. 

Mariposa  means  butterfly.  The  river  was  so  named  in  1807,  by  a 
hunting  party  of  Californians,  from  the  fact  of  their  encampment 
there  having  been  surrounded  by  myriads  of  most  gorgeous  butterflies. 

Solano  was  so  named  after  a  celebrated  Catholic  missionary. 
Yolo  is  a  corruption  of  the  Indian  word  "  Yoloy,"  and  mean*  a  pi    •« 
abounding  wun 


248  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

treasure,  and  we  regard  the  discovery  of  the  abundance 
of  coal  as  in  the  highest  degree  important  to  the  resi- 
dents of  California.  Even  amid  the  news  of  the 
extraordinary  yield  of  the  gold  region  during  the 
present  year,  1850,  when  a  single  vessel,  in  one  trip, 
brings  §2,000,000  w^rth  of  gold  dust  to  the  United 
States  wf  3aa  pause  to  notice  the  discovery  of  the 
more  useful  substances. 

The  Trinity  River  and  Humboldt  Harbor,  in  the 
north-western  part  of  California,  have  lately  become  a 
resort  for  the  superfluous  population  of  the  Sacramento 
*nd  San  Joaquin  regions.  The  harbor  is  pronounced 
•i  very  good  one,  and  the  discovery  of  abundance  of 
gold  on  the  branches  of  Trinity  River,  will,  doubtless, 
contribute  to  the  building  of  a  large  town  upon  its 
shores. 

In  the  middle  of  June,  there  was  much  excitement 
hi  San  Francisco,  caused  by  the  reported  discovery 
of  a  gold  lake,  among  the  mountains  between  the  South 
Fork  of  Feather  River  and  the  Yuba.  One  man  was 
said  to  have  got  §7000  in  four  days,  and  a  party  of 
ten  Kanakas  were  reported  to  have  got  §75,000  in  a 


Marin  was  so  designated  after  a  great  Indian  chief,  who  made  war 
BO  desperately  against  the  Spaniards. 

Sonoma  is  an  Indian  word,  signifying  valley  of  the  moon.  The  In- 
dians so  named  the  valley  in  which  the  present  town  of  that  title  is 
situated. 

Napa  was  the  name  of  the  Indian  tribe  who  inhabited  the  valley 
of  the  same  name. 

Mendocino  was  so  named  after  the  first  Viceroy  of  Mexico. 

Yuba,  a  corruption  of  "  uba,"  orig  inally  alluded  to  the  immense 
quantities  of  vines  which  shaded  the  river. 

Butte  is  a  French  word  signifying  hill,  and  was  given  by  a  part1? 
of  hunters  from  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  to  a  range  of  high  hills 
in  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento.  From  thence  the  county  is  named 

Coluse  county  was  so  called  after  an  Indian  tribe  of  which  it  wa* 
the  name. 

Skalta  county  is  so  styled  after  an  Indian  tribe  also. 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  24S 

week.  A  vast  number  of  people  were  by  this  means 
attracted  to  the  sources  of  the  Feather  and  Yuba 
Rivers,  and  though  they  found  the  lake  story  a  hoax 
of  a  vile  character,  they  found  tolerably  fair  diggings, 
which  would  console  them  for  their  disappointment. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Placer  Times  of 
the  17th  of  July,  1850,  under  the  head  of  "  Great 
Discoveries  of  Gold — Gold  Lake,"  will  afford  the 
reader  a  lively  conception  of  the  degree  of  excitement 
caused  in  California  by  every  new  announcement  of 
a  newly  discovered  locality  abounding  in  gold : 

"  We  were  inclined  to  give  only  an  average'degree 
of  credit  to  stories  that  have  reached  us  during  the 
past  few  days,  of  the  unprecedented  richness  which 
this  locality  has  developed.  A  few  moments  passed 
in  Marysville  on  Saturday,  convinced  us  that  there  it 
much  more  show  of  reality  in  this  last  eureka  report, 
than  usually  attaches  to  the  like.  In  a  year's  experi- 
ence of  local  excitements  from  the  same  cause,  we 
have  seen  none  equal  to  what  now  prevails  in  that 
town.  It  has  visited  all  the  inhabitants  indiscrimi- 
nately, lawyers,  doctors  and  judges,  traders,  teamsters, 
mechanics  and  gamblers.  Our  readers  know  we  are 
the  last  to  justify  the  circulation  of  unfounded  or 
exaggerated  reports,  but  we  deem  it  right  to  conceal 
nothing  of  what  may  prove  (for  aught  that  we  can  see 
to  the  contrary)  one  of  the  most  astounding  discoveries 
in  the  mo  !ern  history  of  diggings.  The  specimens 
brought  into  Marysville  are  of  a  value  from  $1600 
down.  Ten  ounces  is  reported  as  no  unusual  yield  tc 
a  panfull,  and  the  first  party  of  sixty,  which  started 
out  under  the  guidance  of  one  who  had  returned  suc- 
cessful, were  assured  that  they  would  not  get  less  than 
0500  each  per  day  We  were  told  that  the  previous 


250  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

morning  two  hundred  had  left  the  town  with  a  fall 
supply  of  provisions  and  four  hundred  mules.  Those 
who  could  not  go  were  hiring  others  in  their  stead, 
The  length  of  the  journey  and  the  quantity  of  provi- 
sions required,  there  being  no  stores  in  the  region, 
rendered  an  outfit  rather  expensive.  Mules  and 
horses  had  doubled  in  value,  and  §400  were  considered 
no  more  than  enough  to  furnish  a  proper  start. 

The  distance  to  Gold  Lake  was  first  reported  two 
hundred  miles;  the  best  informed,  however,  say  that 
it  is  but  little  more  than  half  of  that.  It  lies  at  a 
very  considerable  elevation  among  the  mountains  that 
divide  the  waters  of  the  South  Fork  of  Feather  from 
those  of  the  north  branch  of  the  Yuba.  The  direction 
from  Marysville  is  a  little  north  of  east.  The  story 
has  of  course  spread  ere  this  far  and  wide  among  the 
miners  high  up  on  the  Feather  and  Yuba,  and  the 
spot  will  be  as  crowded  as  all  other  good  places  are, 
ere  the  tardy  adventurer  from  this  region  could  reach 
it.  The  region  of  the  Gold  Lake  wonders  is  a  new 
one,  however,  and  lies  between  what  are  established 
to  be  diggings  of  unsurpassed  richness.  It  is  our 
belief  that  it  is  better  for  one  who  has  got  some  initia- 
tion into  the  gold  mysteries,  (if  there  be  any,)  not  to 
be  content  in  old  '  used  up'  localities,  but  to  push  along 
to  the  great  field  yet  unexplored;  and  that,  though 
the  search  be  long  and  laborious,  the  big  lift  is  ulti- 
mately pretty  sure  for  those  who  are  patient  and  per- 
severing. 

The  same  paper  of  July  18th,  contains  additional 
particulars,  having  a  tendency  to  add  plausibility  to 
the  reports.  Among  other  things,  a  man  by  the  name 
of  McLelland  came  into  Marysville  on  the  17th,  with 
$7000,  the  result  of  four  days'  labor  at  Gold  Lake. 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  251 

Whatever  may  be  the  truth  of  the  reports,  there  is  no 
doubt  of  one  thing — the  whole  population  of  Maryg- 
ville  and  its  vicinity  have  become  infected  by  the  news, 
and  are  taking  up  their  march  thitherwards  in  crowds. 

The  Transcript  speaks  rather  doubtingly  on  the 
subject ;  it  says — "  The  reports  come  as  a  general 
thing,  through  teamsters  and  other  persons  whose 
interest  it  is  to  give  as  favorable  accounts  as  possible. 
The  statements  are  very  conflicting." 

To  this  we  may  add  the  statement  of  a  gentleman 
who  reached  this  city  from  Marysville,  direct,  on 
Tuesday  night.  The  excitement,  he  says,  is  great; 
but  no  one  could  give  any  definite  information  of  the 
locality  or  of  its  productiveness.  Yet  all  seemed  to 
think  there  was  no  doubt  in  the  matter,  and  as  many 
as  could  get  away  were  starting,  or  getting  ready  to 
push  for  the  new  El  Dorado.  Upon  his  way  down,  on 
board  the  boat,  he  conversed  with  a  man  who  professed 
to  have  explored  that  region  lately,  although  he  did 
not  claim  to  know  where  Gold  Lake  was.  But  between 
the  North  Fork  of  the  Yuba  and  Feather  Rivers,  at 
the  foot  of  the  great  chain  of  mountains,  he  reported 
a  series  of  lakes  of  various  dimensions,  and  "two 
thousand  people,"  prospecting  all  about.  The  snow 
was  very  deep — "  six  feet" — and  but  little  gold. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Placer  Times,  is  the 
most  positive  information  within  our  knowledge. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  "Lawrence,"  yesterday,  from 
Marysville,  we  received  more  news  of  the  Gold  Lake 
excitement,  now  prevailing  in  those  parts.  It  pro- 
mises to  spare  no  one.  Many  who  would  not  be 
understood  to  have  yielded  to  it,  seek,  under  various 
pretences,  to  get  away — some  pleading  business  in 
other  quarters  of  the  mines ;  others  desiring  th 


252  HISTORY   OF   CALIFOBHIA. 

tion  of  a  country  jaunt.  It  is  reported  that,  np  to 
Thursday  last,  two  thousand  persona  had  taken  up 
their  journey;  that  many  who  were  working  good 
claims,  and  had  made  considerable  progress,  were 
deserting  them  for  the  new  discovery.  Mules  and 
horses  were  almost  impossible  to  be  obtained.  A 
supply  from  this  quarter  was  expected  daily,  and  most 
anxiously  awaited.  Although  the  truth  of  the  report 
rest  on  the  authority  of  but  two  or  three  who  have 
returned  from  Gold  Lake,  yet  but  few  are  found  who 
doubt  their  marvellous  revelations.  The  first  man 
who  came  into  Marysville  took  out  a  party  of  forty  as 
guide,  on  condition  they  paid  him  one  hundred  dollars 
each  if  his  story  was  verified,  and  offering  his  life  as  a 
forfeit  for  any  deception. 

"  This  party,  it  is  understood,  came  near  losing  their 
way,  from  the  difficulty  the  guide  found  in  retracing 
his  path,  after  the  snow  had  melted.  Fortunately, 
however,  they  encountered  another  man,  who  was  on 
his  way  returning,  and  he  showed  the  track.  The 
second  person  has  since  left  with  a  much  larger  party, 
who  are  to  give  him  two  hundred  dollars  each,  and 
the  same  forfeit  is  provided.  The  spot  is  described 
as  very  difficult  of  approach,  and  it  is  feared  that 
many  will  lose  their  way.  A  party  of  ten  Kanakas 
are  reported  to  have  wintered  at  Gold  Lake,  subsist- 
ing chiefly  on  the  flesh  of  their  animals.  They  are 
said  to  have  taken  out  about  §75,000  the  first  week. 
The  lake  is  not  large,  and,  after  the  wet  season  ceases, 
has  no  outlet;  at  present,  however,  the  water  runs 
over  the  basin,  and  finds  its  way  into  the  North  Fork 
of  Feather  River.  At  a  lower  stage,  it  admits  of 
easy  drainage,  and  the  undertaking  is  already  pro- 
jected. 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  253 

"  Of  course  the  most  extravagant  anticipations  are 
founded  on  the  result  of  this  work,  induced  by  the 
yield  from  the  borders  of  the  lake  which  have  already 
been  realized.  The  "  placer"  proper  is  very  limited, 
and  little  encouragement  is  given  as  to  the  character 
of  the  surrounding  country;  indeed,  it  is  probably 
entirely  unexplored,  as  the  region  lies  about  as  fai 
up  among  the  snows  as  the  most  adventurous  have  yet 
penetrated." 

The  Yuba  River  is  destined  to  be  thoroughly  rifled 
of  its  wealth.  Three  miles  above  the  new  town  of 
Lina,  a  company  has  turned  the  river  from  its  course, 
and  made  it  run  through  a  lateral  slough.  Prospect- 
ing of  the  bed  has  proved  very  satisfactory,  and  the 
shares  in  the  company's  stock  have  sold  at  a  high  rate. 

As  was  apprehended,  various  difficulties  have  oc- 
curred between  the  owners  of  land  at  Sacramento  City, 
and  a  large  number  of  squatters  upon  it.  The  ground 
was  bought  and  surveyed,  and  the  title  to  ownership 
was  perfect.  But  the  number  of  emigrants  who 
arrive  at  Sacramento  at  particular  seasons  forces 
them  to  encamp  outside  of  the  regularly  built  town, 
and  when  thus  encamped,  they  consider  themselves 
as  settlers,  and  are  unwilling  to  give  up  possession  of 
the  ground.  The  power  of  the  law  has  been  called 
into  requisition  several  times  to  eject  these  squatters. 

The  emigrants  to  California  by  way  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake  route  have  endured  terrible  hardships  during 
the  present  year.  The  rigors  of  the  season,  and  the 
want  of  water,  have  been  but  secondary  matters.  The 
Indians,  always  unfriendly,  have  been  particularly 
hostile,  and  several  battles  between  them  and  the  emi- 
grants have  taken  place.  In  one  of  the  battles,  thirty 
Indians  were  killed,  while  the  whites  had  several 


254  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

wounded,  but  none  killed.  It  is  supposed  that  the 
assailants  belonged  to  the  Utahs.  The  Salt  Lake 
City  is  the  great  refuge  of  the  belated  emigrants  upon 
that  route,  and  the  Mormons  are  hospitable  to  all  who 
visit  them  for  shelter,  or  for  mere  curiosity. 

The  great  body  of  the  emigrants  continue  to  take 
the  old  route,  which  we  have  elsewhere  described,  and 
find  that  it  is  the  safest  and  shortest  of  the  land 
routes.  Judging  from  the  statements  of  the  number 
of  emigrants  who  have  passed  Fort  Laramie  this  sea- 
son, we  should  say,  that  the  route  could  scarcely  be 
called  a  wilderness,  when  it  is  impossible  to  travel 
thirty  miles  without  meeting  with  parties  and  families 
of  whites.  Part  of  this  tide  of  emigration  will  flow 
to  Oregon,  no  doubt,  on  account  of  the  fertile  lands 
to  be  there  obtained ;  but  the  golden  land  will  get  the 
bulk  of  it. 

In  a  recent  tour  through  the  region  bordering  on 
Moqueleme  River,  in  California,  a  couple  of  gentle- 
men from  Stockton,  discovered  a  cave  or  grotto  of 
great  extent.  They  found  that  it  contained  large 
quantities  of  stalactite,  and  saw  evidences  of  gold. 
The  Indians  who  accompanied  the  gentlemen  were 
horror  stricken  at  their  audacity,  when  they  entered 
a  cave  which  tradition  said  no  man  returned  from 
alive.  The  skeleton  of  a  human  being  was  found  at 
some  distance  from  the  opening. 

An  event  has  occurred  which  will  no  doubt  exercise 
a  great  influence  on  California  affairs.  This  is  the 
discovery  of  the  existence  of  abundance  of  gold  in 
Oregon  territory.  The  discovery  created  great  ex- 
citement through  the  various  cities  and  towns  of 
Oregon,  and  the  northern  towns  of  California.  That 
whicb  is  exhibited,  shows  an  entirely  different  charao- 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  255 

ter  to  any  of  that  dug  in  the  mines  of  California.  It 
contains  large  quantities  of  platina,  and  is  said  to  be 
of  a  richer  character.  The  mines  just  discovered  are 
situated  about  two  hundred  miles  from  Oregon  City. 
The  consequences  of  this  discovery  may  be  easily  ap- 
prehended. Oregon  will  secure  a  larger  share  of  the 
emigration  from  the  Atlantic  States  than  she  had 
before,  arid  her  progress  will  be  rapid,  for  her  soil  and 
climate  render  the  country  an  attractive  place  of  re- 
sidence. But  will  the  progress  of  California  be  less 
rapid  in  consequence  of  this?  We  think  not.  The 
united  attractions  of  the  two  terrtories  will  operraAe 
for  the  benefit  of  both,  and  only  tend  to  increase  the 
quantity  of  emigration. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

A  GENERAL  VIEW  OF  CALIFORNIA  AT  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 

WE  have  followed  the  narrative  of  the  events  in  the 
history  of  California  up  to  the  present  time.  We 
have  traced  her  progress  from  her  first  settlement  up 
to  the  time  when  she  appears  as  a  sovereign  republican 
State ;  and  we  have  seen  the  effects  of  her  vast 
metallic  wealth  working  wonders  in  a  short  space  of 
time.  We  have  seen  her  towns  before  and  after  the 
gold  discovery,  and  marked  the  contrast ;  and  we  have 
seen  her  territory  become  thickly  peopled,  and  her 
resources  developed  in  a  space  of  time  which  other 
territories  less  favored,  would  require  for  an  infancy. 
We  have  also  considered  her  soil,  climate,  productions, 
and  population,  and  exhibited  each  subject  as  fully  M 


256  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

our  information  warranted.  But  in  order  to  give  -a 
clear  conception  of  the  general  character  of  Califor  • 
nia  and  her  resources  and  capabilities,  and  to  enable 
the  reader  to  obtain  an  idea  of  the  bright  future  to 
which  she  is  destined,  we  have-  concluded  to  add 
another  chapter  upon  the  general  state  of  things  there 
at  the  present  time. 

California  is  now  a  State — in  organization  at  least, 
if  not  in  being  a  member  of  the  Union.  The  county 
has  become  thoroughly  American  in  its  government 
and  laws.  A  Constitution  is  adopted  as  a  State  organi- 
zation, which  bears  the  impress  of  enlightened  senti- 
ment and  just  principles.  The  most  liberal  provisions 
have  been  made  in  that  instrument  for  the  grand  end 
of  public  education.  The  power  and  capability  of  the 
people  to  rule  themselves  has  been  recognized  in  the 
matter  of  electing  nearly  all  the  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment— including  the  judges  of  the  various  courts  over 
which  the  State  has  control.  The  Legislature,  in  the 
course  of  a  laborious  session,  has  abolished  the  old  civil 
law  which  ruled  the  country  under  the  Mexican  govern- 
ment, and  continued  after  the  acquisition  of  the  terri- 
tory by  the  United  States,  and  have  substituted  the  com- 
mon law  of  England  and  many  of  the  States  in  the 
Union.  In  taking  this  step,  they  were  actuated  by 
sound  policy.  Few  of  those  who  were  subjected  to  le 
tried,  or  to  have  their  suits  decided  by  the  rules  of 
this  civil  code  were  aware  of  the  nature  of  these 
rules ;  and  from  their  crude  and  unintelligible  charac- 
ter, it  would  have  been  a  long  time  before  they  could 
have  been  fully  or  certainly  informed.  The  old  com- 
mon law  is  that  to  whose  rules  they  have  conformed 
in  the  older  States,  and  which  is  better  suited  to  their 
habits  and  principles  of  action. 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  257 

Bat  with  her  complete  State  organization,  California 
has  applied  for  admission  into  the  Union,  and  from 
various  causes,  without  reason,  as  we  conceive,  has  not 
yet  been  admitted  to  her  claim.  This  delay,  continued 
thrjugh  a  long  session  of  Congress,  has  somewhat, 
irritated  the  Calif ornians,  who  are  anxiously  watching 
tho^doings  of  Congress.  The  state  of  feeling  on  the 
subject  is  clearly  stated  in  one  of  the  California  papers ; 
and  it  is  worthy  of  attention.  We  extract  it. 

"SHALL  CALIFORNIA  BE  ADMITTED? — We  desire 
once  more  to  state  calmly  and  firmly  the  grievance? 
under  which  the  State  of  California  labors,  in  order 
that  Congress,  in  her  hesitation,  which  may  terminate 
in  an  open  refusal  to  admit  us  as  equal  sharers  in  the 
benefits,  as  we  are  of  the  burdens  of  the  genera) 
government,  may  not  act  in  ignorance  of  the  true  state  of 
feeling  existing  here  upon  a  point  so  vital  to  our  future. 

"  California  feels  that  she  has  been  made  the  sport 
of  gambling  politicians  long  enough.  This  is  the  uni- 
versal sentiment  of  one  hundred  thousand  citizens  of 
this  State,  expecting  daily  reinforcements  which  will 
swell  the  number  to  an  aggregate  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  before  the  second  session  of  the  present 
Congress.  She  feels  that  such  a  mass  of  men,  born 
under  the  flag  of  the  Union,  have  a  right  to  some  of 
the  privileges  which  they  were  taught  to  suppose 
it  typified.  She  feels  that  she  has  no  right  to  be 
taxed  and  not  protected — to  be  taxed,  and  not 
represented,  to  be  taxed,  and  nothing  but  taxed. 
Nothing  else  has  been  done  for  her.  We  hear  of 
no  Indian  agent  in  the  country.  American  citizens 
are  slaughtered  weekly  if  not  daily  by  savages  on 
our  border.  An  agent  of  the  Postoffice  Depart- 
ment has  been  sent  here,  but  his  power  to  put  into 


258  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

successful  operation  a  thorough  mail  system,  com* 
mensurate  with  the  wants  of  the  people,  has  been 
effectually  crippled  from  the  want  of  an  appropriation 
to  meet  the  necessary  expenses.  We  are  without 
admiralty  courts  ;  yet  the  interests  of  the  commerce 
of  the  Pacific  are  centring  in  the  Bay  of  San  Fran- 
cisco. We  are  paying  millions  into  the  treasury  of  the 
United  States  yearly.  Our  custom-house  is  thronged 
daily  with  captains  and  consignees  of  vessels,  paying 
government  dues,  which  eventually  come  from  the 
pockets  of  the  citizens  of  the  whole  State ;  yet  there 
is  hardly  a  possibility  that  one  dollar  in  a  thousand 
will  ever  be  expended  for  our  benefit. 

"  This  state  of  things  is  unnatural — too  much  so  for 
a  quiet  endurance,  unless  stern  necessity  is  at  the 
bottom.  Were  there  any  reason  why  we  should  be 
treated  thus,  we  could  patiently  suffer  on.  But  there 
is  none.  And  now  a  sentiment  is  fast  gaining  ground 
here,  that  it  is  the  intention  of  Congress — or  a  portion 
of  Congress,  to  throw  us  back  upon  a  territorial  organi- 
zation. It  may  not  be  amiss  to  state  that  California, 
tinder  no  circumstances,  will  give  up  her  State  organi 
zation.  She  has  just  escaped  from  the  crudities  and 
unintelligibilities  of  the  Mexican  code.  Under  it,  she 
would  still  belaboring,  had  the  action  of  Congress  been 
awaited.  Neither  to  this  state  of  Vassalage  to  institu- 
tions foreign  to  the  habits  and  education  of  her  citizens, 
nor  to  a  second  vassalage  of  territorial  government  under 
Congress,  will  she  submit  now.  She  knows  her  interests 
too  well  for  this.  If  we  are  driven  to  take  matters  into 
our  own  keeping,  the  responsibility  rests  not  upon  us. 
neither  should  the  odium,  if  any  attaches.  Should 
Congress  ever  come  to  its  senses,  and  do  what  naked 
justice  demanded  months  ago,  California  will  ever  be 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA  259 

ready  and  praud  to  form  one  of  the  States  of  th« 
Union  ;  but  it  is  asking  too  much  that  she  should  offer 
herself  a  willing  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  demagogues." 

This  is  strongly  and  firmly  said ;  and  we  hope  that 
it  will  exercise  some  influence  on  those  to  whose  atten- 
tion it  is  directed.  Nothing  can  be  more  unjust  in 
politics  than  taxation  without  a  due  compensation  of 
protection  and  of  law.  There  is  scarcely  any  pros- 
pect, however,  that  California  will  be  required  to  go 
back  to  a  territorial  organization.  Such  a  request 
would  be  absurd  in  the  highest  degree,  and  none  but 
ultras  recommend  it. 

Whether  California  be  admitted  into  the  Union  at 
the  present  session  of  Congress,  or  not,  we  may  con- 
sider her  Constitution  and  many  of  her  laws  necessary 
for  carrying  out  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution,  as 
fixed  and  operative.  We  have  then,  in  a  knowledge 
of  their  laws,  a  view  of  the  character  of  society  in 
California,  in  many  particulars,  but  there  are  others 
which  require  further  observation.  One  feature  strikes 
the  observer  at  first  glance.  It  is  the  variety  of  nation 
which  marks  the  population  of  the  principal  cities  of 
California.  There  may  be  seen  the  rapid,  yet  prudent 
Yankee,  with  a  sharp  eye  to  the  main  chance,  and  a 
ready  comprehension  of  the  consequences  of  a  bargain 
or  a  speculation;  the  cool,  slow,  and  heavy-moving 
Englishman,  wishing  to  be  sure  of  his  game,  and, 
therefore,  late  in  grasping  for  it ;  the  lively  and  sociable 
Frenchman,  contrasting  appearances  and  mnnners 
with  things  in  Paris;  the  coarse-looking  German,  with 
a  lively  conception  of  the  wealth  of  the  country,  and 
a  deep  consideration  of  the  means  of  grasping  a  goodly 
share  of  it ;  the  half-Spanish  native  of  California,  with 
his  lore  of  indolence,  and  easy  of  satisfaction  ;  th« 


260  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA 

Chilian,  with  the  ferocity  and  the  cowardice  of  ths 
descendants  of  the  Spaniarus,  and  loving  fandangoes 
and  riding  horses,  as  intensely  as  the  Californians . 
the  Chinese,  with  dirty,  but  industrious  habits,  and 
the  native  Indians — a  mean,  degraded  specimen  of  that 
noble  race  that  once  were  lords  of  the  American  forests. 
At  the  present  time,  it  is  a  matter  of  doubt, 
whether  the  Americans  or  the  foreigners  predominate 
in  the  population  of  California.  It  is  certain  that 
the  former  have  things  pretty  much  their  own  way  in 
the  various  cities  and  in  the  mines.*  But  that  may  be 
from  a  want  of  unity  of  action  among  the  foreigners. 
The  habits  and  modes  of  life  belonging  to  the  Ameri- 
cans are  generally  prevalent  in  the  cities ;  but  in  the 
smaller  and  older  towns,  the  native  Califomians  con- 
duct every  thing  in  the  old  Spanish  mode.  The  differ- 
ence between  the  society  of  Los  Angeles  and  Sacra- 
mento City,  is  wide,  and  affords  a  good  contrast  be- 
tween the  restless,  enterprising,  utilitarian  spirit  of 
the  Americans,  and  the  indolent,  pleasure-loving  spirit 
of  the  Californians.  With  the  Americans,  in  the 
cities  where  they  are  in  the  majority,  business  is  the 
uppermost  consideration  upon  all  occasions,  and  profit 
and  loss,  and  chances  of  obtaining  a  competency,  the 
constant  subject  of  thought.  With  the  Californians, 
the  enjoyment  of  the  present,  which  alone  is  theirs, 
is  at  all  times  a  matter  of  prime  importance ;  and 
gambling,  drinking,  dancing,  guitar-playing,  and  riding 
on  horseback,  are  the  principal  sources  of  their  plea- 
sures. Which  of  these  modes  of  passing  away  life 
is  the  most  philosophical,  we  leave  to  the  speculative. 
But  it  is  apparent  in  California,  that  the  energy  of 
the  American  character  is  exercising  a  great  influence 
on  the  descendants  of  the  Spaniards.  Their  spirit  is 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  261 

infectious  In  some  of  the  towns  upon  the  co  a-st,  one 
half  of  the  buildings  are  occupied  by  perscns  who 
have  emigrated  from  the  Eastern  States;  and  the 
contrast  between  their  log  and  brick  houses,  and  the 
adobS  houses  of  the  Californians,  is  singular,  and 
seems  as  if  the  old  dead  looking  trunk  of  the  tree 
had  suddenly  sent  out  new  branches  full  of  life  and 
freshness. 

All  the  vices  consequent  upon  a  heterogeneous 
population,  suddenly  thrown  together  and  stimulated 
to  an  extraordinary  degree  of  activity,  have  fully  ex- 
hibited themselves  in  California.  Nearly  every  body 
in  the  mining  regions  carries  deadly  weapons  of  some 
sort,  and  with  the  promptings  of  avarice,  and  the  ex- 
citement of  passion,  many  shocking,  secret  murders, 
and  many  open,  revengeful  encounters  are  continually 
occurring.  The  practice  of  carrying  deadly  weapons 
can  only  be  abolished  when  a  stronger  feeling  of 
security,  induced  by  a  confidence  in  the  protection  of 
the  laws,  shall  take  the  place  of  constant  dread.  The 
mining  population  is  of  as  mixed  a  character  as  that 
in  the  commercial  cities ;  and  national  jealousies  will 
occur  occasionally.  The  elation  consequent  upon  suc- 
cessful gold  digging  and  speculating,  leads  to  excess 
in  drinking  and  gambling,  and  these  lead  to  frequent 
quarrels  and  deadly  encounters.  The  remedy  for 
these  things  is  only  to  be  found  in  the  reaction  to 
which  a  few  years  will  lead,  when  the  power  of  the 
law  shall  be  supreme  throughout  the  gold  region. 

The  principal  thing  which  has  contributed  in  some 
degree  to  influence  the  prospect  and  the  labors  of  th§ 
miners,  is  the  government  tax  upon  the  foreigners 
who  wish  to  work  upon  the  public  lands  in  digging 

and  washing  gold.     The  tax  is  certainly  a  juat  one, 
IV  M 


261  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

but  many  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  too  high.  A  lighter 
tax  would  more  readily  receive  the  assent  of  the  masi 
of  foreigners ;  but  whether  it  is  not  just  that  they 
should  pay  a  tax  of  eight  dollars  for  every  ounce  of 
of  gold  they  obtain  from  the  land  of  others,  is  another 
question.  The  greater  portion  of  the  gold  region 
belongs  to  the  government,  and  was  paid  for  by  the 
government.  The  people  of  the  United  States  should, 
therefore,  have  the  sole  right  to  occupy  it ;  and  it  is 
but  just,  that  those  people  of  foreign  nations  who  wish 
to  reap  a  profit  from  it  either  by  digging  gold  or  culti- 
vating the  ground,  should  pay  for  the  use  of  it.  The 
effect  of  the  tax  is,  that  those  who  must  pay  it,  either 
must  give  up  mining  or  work  harder  to  reap  sufficient 
profit.  In  either  case,  the  country  is  benefited. 

The  mining  region  is  constantly  increasing  in  ex- 
tent. The  placers  first  worked  still  yield  a  profit  suffi- 
cient to  reward  the  gold  seeker  for  his  labor,  and  the 
frequent  discovery  of  new  ones  by  parties  prospect- 
ing, keeps  up  the  heat  of  excitement.  The  region  is 
constantly  extending  towards  the  north.  The  vicinity 
of  Trinity  River  is  the  most  northern  part  of  Cali- 
fornia where  gold  is  obtained  in  any  considerable 
quantity,  and  the  source  of  the  San  Joaquin,  is  the 
most  southern.  The  entire  region  embraced  between 
these  two  points  is  known  to  abound  in  the  precious 
metal,  and  is  traversed  by  the  gold  "  prospecters." 
Of  the  gold  obtained,  a  great  quantity — a  third,  at 
least,  remains  in  the  country.  Another  is  carried 
out  of  California  by  the  foreigners,  and  the  remainder 
is  sent  to  the  Atlantic  States  of  the  Union.  This  is 
but  a  rough  estimate ;  but  it  seems  warranted  by  the 
facts  of  the  number  of  foreigners  in  the  country,  and 
the  necessary  current  monejp  of  the  residents.  Cer- 


HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA.  263 

lain  it  is,  that  were  we  to  judge  of  the  quantity  of 
gold  obtained  in  California,  by  the  amount  received 
in  the  United  States,  we  would  fall  far  too  iiiort  of 
the  truth. 

The  growth  of  the  commerce  of  California  neces- 
sarily carries  with  it  the  growth  of  all  those  cities 
and  towns  which  have  any  commercial  advantages, 
or  which  are  connected  with  the  various  ports.  Not 
only  has.  San  Francisco  constantly  in.  her  harbor  a 
tremendous  fleet  of  merchant  vessels  from  all  parts  of 
the  world,  pouring  into  her  lap  the  commodities  neces- 
sary to  a  new  country  and  a  rapid  building  city,  and 
Sacramento,  the  commerce  of  the  mines  continually 
passing  through  it,  but  all  the  towns  along  the  coast  have 
felt  the  impulse,  and  have  become  the  seat  of  a  traffic 
of  some  sort.  San  Diego,  Santa  Barbara,  San  Pedro, 
and  Monterey,  are  all  commercial  ports,  which  have 
become  the  resort  of  those  traders  who  wish  to 
escape  the  crowd  of  competitors  to  be  met  with  at  the 
more  northern  towns,  and  to  have  a  pleasant  place 
of  residence  besides.  Los  Angeles,  twenty-five  miles 
from  the  port  of  San  Pedro  is  the  centre  of  an  ex- 
tensive inland  trade,  and  from  its  being  a  delightful 
place  of  residence,  will  contribute  to  the  building  up 
of  San  Pedro  in  a  greater  degree  than  the  commerce 
of  San  Pedro  can  influence  it. 

At  present,  San  Francisco  is  a  city  of  about  thirty 
thousand  inhabitants,  and  in  spite  of  the  repeated 
visitations  of  the  calamity  of  destructive  fire,  it  has 
suffered  no  stoppage  in  its  rapid  progress.  On  the 
contrary,  these  fires  seem  to  give  a  new  impulse  to  the 
energy  and  enterprise  of  its  inhabitants,  and,  by  im- 
pressing upon  them  the  utility  of  building  theu  houses 
and  Btores  of  the  more  substantial  brick,  to  have 


264  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

been  of  permanent  benefit.  Like  the  water  of  a 
rapid  river,  which,  meeting  with  a  serious  obstacle  in 
its  course,  is  checked  for  the  moment  and  then,  having 
gathered  new  strength,  surmounts  the  barrier  and 
springs  forward  with  renewed  energy,  San  Francisco 
has  pursued  her  course.  The  late  fire,  decidedly  the 
most  disastrous  the  new  city  has  experienced,  produced 
for  awhile  a  general  stand  in  business.  But  the  go- 
aheadative  principle  was  too  strong  for  a  continuance 
of  a  stagnation ;  and  all  the  sufferers  -set  about  doing 
their  utmost  to  retrieve  their  fortunes.  Success  must 
wait  upon  such  persevering  energy. 

Sacramento  City  is  fast  treading  upon  the  heels  of 
her  commercial  sister  city.  Improvements  are  con 
stantly  being  made  to  the  appearance  of  the  cky  and 
the  comfort  of  its  inhabitants.  A  levee  is  in  course 
of  construction,  which,  it  is  thought,  will  effectually 
protect  the  city  from  being  flooded  during  the  season 
of  the  rise  of  the  river.  The  overland  emigration 
of  which  Sacramento  is  the  goal,  contributes  to  swell 
the  population  rapidly ;  and,  during  the  rainy  season 
the  greater  portion  of  the  population  of  the  northern 
mines  flock  into  the  city  for  refuge  till  the  digging 
season  commences. 

Stockton,  Benicia,  San  Jose",  and  Sutter  are  each 
increasing  the  number  of  their  residents  and  their 
trade  very  fast.  The  first  is  the  depot  of  the  south- 
ern mines ;  the  second,  the  military  and  naval  station, 
chosen  by  the  government  officers ;  the  third  is  the 
capital  of  the  State  ;  the  last  is  a  thriving  town,  near 
Sacramento,  but  in  a  better  situation. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  California 
is  the  number  of  the  missions  in  various  parts  of  the 
State.  They  are  and  will  continue  to  be  interesting, 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  266 

because  of  their  age,  and  the  self-denying  and  ener- 
getic labors  with  which  they  are  connected.  They 
were  the  centres,  established  by  a  few  Catholic  priests, 
from  which  the  rays  of  enlightenment  and  civilized 
enjoyment  were  spread  to  the  native  Indians  of  Cali- 
fornia. Each  mission  was  a  little  principality,  with 
many  leagues  of  land  attached,  with  some  thousand 
head  of  cattle,  and  all  the  neighboring  Indians  sub- 
ject to  the  control  of  the  padre,  and  cultivating  the 
land  for  their  own  and  the  padre's  benefit.  In  1800, 
these  missions  were  sixteen  in  number,  and  three  only 
have  been  added  since  that  time.  They  are  named 
and  located  as  follows  : — San  Rafael  and  San  Fran- 
cisco Solano,  north  of  San  Francisco  Bay ;  Dolores, 
near  San  Francisco ;  Santa  Clara  and  San  Jos^ 
near  Pueblo  San  Jose* ;  San  Juan,  Santa  Cruz  and 
Carmel,  near  Monterey ;  Soledad,  San  Antonio,  and 
San  Miguel,  in  the  valley  of  Salina  River ;  San  Luis 
Obispo,  La  Purisima,  Santa  Ynez,  Santa  Barbara,  and 
San  Buenaventura,  near  Santa  Barbara  ;  San  Gabriel 
and  San  Fernando,  near  Los  Angeles ;  and  San  Luis 
Rey,  San  Juan  Capistrano  and  San  Diego,  on  the 
coast,  south  of  Los  Angeles. 

The  wealth  and  power  of  these  missions  have  fled, 
and  they  are  all,  more  or  less,  in  a  state  of  decay. 
The  Indians  who  were  prospering  under  the  care  of 
the  priests  have  either  taken  refuge  in  the  mountains 
or  linger  about  the  old  mission  buildings,  in  a  de- 
graded and  ignorant  state.  The  immense  quantity 
of  land  which  was  once  attached  to  them  has  been 
taken  from  them  from  time  to  time,  and  now  they  but 
Beem  the  ruins  of  former  greatness.  The  beauty  of 
the  country  surrounding  those  of  the  missions  which 
are  still  existing,  and  the  picturesque  appearance  of 


266  HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA. 

those  which  are  in  ruins  make  them  well  worthy  a 

visit  to  the  lover  of  the  antiquated. 

The  usual  attendant  of  the  American  enterprise, 
the  printing  press,  has  found  its  way  to  California,  to 
contribute  to  the  information  and  convenience  of  the 
people.  Several  papers  are  in  extensive  circulation 
in  the  cities  and  towns,  and  projects  for  others  have 
been  formed.  The  principal  are  the  Alia  Californian, 
the  Pacific  Netvs,  the  Courier,  and  the  Placer  Times. 
The  three  first  are  published  in  San  Francisco,  and 
the  last  at  Sacramento. 

The  want  of  facilities  for  transportation  must  be 
severely  felt  in  the  interior  settlements  of  California. 
Steam  vessels  of  the  swiftest  and  most  commodious 
character  are  the  means  of  easy  communication  and 
transportation  between  San  Francisco  and  the  towns 
on  Suisan  Bay  and  the  Sacramento,  as  far  as  Sacra- 
mento City.  Communication  by  the  same  means  will 
doubtless,  soon  be  established  between  the  different 
ports  on  the  coast.  But  railroads  and  canals  are 
requisites  for  increasing  the  social  communication  and 
drawing  the  people  of  all  parts  of  the  State  more 
closely  together.  These,  however,  will  not  be  long  in 
demand,  after  the  State  has  been  admitted  into  the 
Union.  The  companies  for  such  purposes  will  feel 
secure  in  their  charter,  and  receive  assistance  from 
the  government.  There  is  nothing  more  efficacious 
in  binding  a  people  together  and  maintaining  peace 
and  harmony  of  action,  than  the  mechanical  facility  of 
communication.  The  Atlantic  States  of  the  Union 
ifford  p/entiful  illustration  and  evidence  of  this  asser- 
tion. Mark  the  differences  of  habit  and  sentiment  in 
those  States,  where  the  means  of  intercourse  between 
the  inhabitants  are  comparatively  few  and  far  between 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  267 

The  interests  of  the  different  sections  of  a  large  State 
are  of  course,  dissimilar,  and  produce  the  widest 
separation  of  feeling  and  opinion,  which  cannot  be 
harmonized  without  the  facilities  of  intercourse  afford- 
ed by  railroads  and  canals.  In  no  State  are  there 
greater  means  of  communication  hetween  the  people 
of  the  different  sections,  than  in  Massachusetts ;  and 
in  no  State  is  there  a  more  harmonious  action  in  the 
Legislative  department  of  the -government.  Let  the 
railroads  and  canals  be  so  constructed  in  California 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  the  effect  will  be  the  same. 

We  have  elsewhere  mentioned  and  characterized  the 
different  harbors  of  California.  There  has  been  one 
other  surveyed  and  pronounced  excellent,  and  the 
beginning  of  a  town  made  upon  its  shores.  This  is 
called  Humboldt,  after  the  distinguished  traveller.  It 
is  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles  north  of 
San  Francisco.  The  river  formerly  called  Pigeon,  but 
now  Trinity,  empties  into  it.  The  harbor  is  sheltered 
from  the  south-west  winds,  but  is  exposed  to  the  north- 
west. The  north-west  winds  prevail  from  November 
till  March,  and  are  severe;  but  the  south-west  winds 
during  the  remainder  of  the  year,  are  violent,  and  the 
harbor  that  is  sheltered  from  them  is  considered  a 
good  one. 

The  Indians  who  inhabit  a  large  portion  of  Califor- 
nia, have  been,  and  will  be,  the  subject  of  considerable 
trouble  to  the  white  residents.  It  is  a  matter  of  the 
first  importance  for  their  safety,  and  that  of  the 
Indians  themselves,  that  agents  should  be  sent  among 
them,  with  power  to  negotiate  and  settle  all  claims 
made  by  them  and  disputes  arising  between  them  and 
the  whites,  else,  a  destructive  war  will  be  the  con 
sequence  They  should  be  induced  to  relinquish  their 


268  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA 

claims  to  the  soil  of  California  as  far  as  the  Sierra 
"Mevada,  and  receive  due  compensation  therefor.  But 
for  the  want  of  properly  constituted  agents  from  the 
government,  they  have  been  either  driven  from  their 
eld  haunts  by  the  mountaineers  and  other  settlers,  or 
remain  amongst  the  whites  to  be  a  constant  source  of 
trouble.  The  Shosonees,  or  Snakes,  are  the  most 
numerous  tribe  to  be  found  within  the  limits  of  the 
State,  but  there  are  others  which  are  more  warlike  and 
untameable.  They  have  all  suffered  considerably  from 
the  aggressions  of  the  white  emigrants,  and  their 
attacks  upon  individuals  and  parties  are  but  the 
promptings  of  revenge,  which  should  be  taken  into 
consideration.  Lately,  a  war  of  extermination  against 
the  whole  number  of  certain  tribes  was  commenced  on 
account  of  the  doings  of  one  or  two  of  them.  Few  of 
them  are  provided  with  better- weapons  than  bows  and 
arrows,  and,  of  course,  they  can  make  but  a  poor 
resistance  to  the  rifles  of  the  white  men.  In  illustra- 
tion of  the  treatment  of  the  Indians,  we  quote  an 
account  of  the  doings  of  a  war  party  against  them, 
described  in  the  work  of  a  California  tourist : — 

"  A  few  days  before  our  arrival  in  the  mines,  five 
men  from  Oregon,  named  Robinson,  Thompson, 
English,  Johnson,  and  Wood,  were  murdered  by  Indians 
while  engaged  in  gold  digging.  Having  but  one  rifle, 
they  imprudently  left  it  in  their  tent.  This  the  Indians 
some  thirty  or  forty  in  number,  first  secured,  and  then 
commenced  their  attack  with  bows  and  arrows.  The 
Oregonians  defended  themselves  some  time,  repeatedly 
driving  the  Indians  with  no  other  weapons  than  the 
stones  they  found  on  the  bar  where  they  were  at  work, 
but  upon  reaching  the  edge  of  the  bar,  they  were  each 
time  obliged  again  to  retreat.  At  length  three  of 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  269 

them,  stuck  full  of  arrows,  were  exhausted  with  loss  of 
blood  and  overcome ;  while  the  other  two  Attempted 
*o  escape  by  crossing  the  fork,  one  succeeding  in 
reaching  the  other  side,  but  both  finally  meeting  the 
fate  of  the  others.  One  of  the  warriors  of  the  tribe 
who  participated  in  these  murders  was  afterwards  taken 
prisoner,  and  furnishing  the  above  narration,  his  life 
was  spared  on  condition  that  he  should  guide  the 
whites  to  their  rancheria. 

"  Accordingly,  on  the  16th  of  April,  a  war  party 
was  made  up  of  about  twenty  young  mountaineers, 
mostly  Oregon  men,  and  including  also  the  young 
Greenwoods.  Well  mounted,  and  equipped  with  the 
enormous  gingling  California  spurs,  they  rode  up  to 
Old  Greenwood's  for  a  review  from  the  old  man  pre- 
paratory to  starting.  Each  man  carried  besides  his 
inseparable  rifle,  a  long  Spanish  knife  usually  mounted 
with  silver,  and  stuck  in  the  folds  of  his  deerskin  leg- 
gings ;  and  many  were  also  provided  with  a  brace  of 
pistols  or  bowie  knife,  worn  in  the  red  Mexican  sash 
around  the  waiiit.  Old  Greenwood  shouted  '  Mind  the 
scalps  and  squaws  for  me,  and  be  sure  you  bring  'em 
all  in,  boys,'  and  away  they  went,  at  a  thundering 
lope,  eager  for  revenge." 

The  day  afterwards,  tlie  party  returned.  They 
were  preceded  by  a  party  of  Peruvians  and  Chilians, 
with  a  number  of  their  peones,  or  slaves. 

"  Following  closely  this  motley  group,  came  on  foot 
a  body  of  about  sixty  California  Indians.  Warriors 
and  boys,  squaws  with  papooses  tied  on  boards  and 
slung  at  the  back,  all  were  prisoners.  Clustered  to- 
gether like  sheep  driven  to  the  slaughter,  they  hastened 
through  the  gorge  with  uncertain  steps,  the  perspira- 
tion rolling  off  their  faces  now  pale  with  Bright.  Many 


270  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

of  them  were  quite  naked,  and  the  men  and  boyt 
especially,  looked  more  like  ourang-outangs  than 
human  beings. 

"  In  flank  and  rear  rode  the  war  party,  which  had 
left  the  Culloma  Valley  two  days  previous.  Every 
man's  rifle  lay  across  the  pommel  of  his  saddle,  and 
dangling  at  both  sides  hung  several  reeking  scalps. 
Among  them  was  a  dashing  young  mountaineer  named 
John  Ross,  who  had  two  scalps  for  his  share,  and 
sticking  in  his  sash  was  the  red-sheathed  bowie  knife, 
which  the  writer  had  sold  him  a  few  days  previous  for 
an  ounce  of  gold  dust.  Used  previously  to  sever  the 
rinds  of  pork,  or  shovel  in  rice  and  frijoles,  it  had  now 
been  *  wool  gathering'  or  collecting  wigs  for  old  Green- 
wood's fancy  stores. 

"'Well  done,  boys,"  shouted  Grover,  'you  have 
given  it  to  them  this  time ;  now,  what's  the  news  ?' 
In  reply  to  this  inquiry,  we  learned  that  the  captured 
Indian  had  led  them  the  night  before  according  to 
promise,  to  their  rancheria,  on  Weber's  Creek,  where 
some  of  them  showing  fight  and  others  attempting 
escape,  they  were  fired  upon  and  some  twenty  to  thirty 
were  killed.  Their  chief  fought  until  shot  the  third 
time,  rising  each  time  to  his  knees  and  discharging 
his  arrows,  Ross  finally  killing,  cutting  off  his  head 
and  scalping  him.  Their  rancheria  was  then  searched 
and  burned ;  the  Indians  delivering  up  the  papers  of 
the  Oregon  men,  obtained  at  the  time  of  their  murder, 
and  confessing  that  they  had  afterwards  burned  their 
bodies  to  ashes  on  the  mountains. 

"  The  subsequent  facts  were  related  to  the  writer 
by  his  highly  esteemed  friend,  Mr.  Donald  Grant,  a 
native  of  bonnie  Scotland,  who  was  one  of  our  party 
to  the  mines,  and  an  eye  witness  to  the  scene ;  *<* 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  2T1 

having  left  on  his  return  tt    San  Francisco  till  the 
following  day. 

"  Arriving  in  the  Culloma  valley  with  their  prison- 
ers, the  mountaineers  and  miners  had  a  grand  revel 
and  jollification  to  celebrate  their  achievement.  During 
the  day  most  of  the  prisoners  were  released,  hut  a  fe> 
squaws  and  seven  warriors  were  retained.  The  latter 
were  questioned  and  examined  relative  to  their  parti- 
cipation in  the  murder  of  the  Oregonians.  Nothing 
heing  elicited  to  prove  their  guilt,  it  was  nevertheless 
determined  that  they  should  die ;  because  being  bad 
looking  and  strong  warriors,  it  was  believed  they  were 
participators  in  the  murders.  Accordingly  the  con- 
sumption of  champaigne  and  brandy  continued  till 
sunset.  At  that  hour  the  seven  Indians  were  brought 
forth,  and  knowing  well  their  fate,  one  of  them  put  up 
his  hand  as  a  signal,  and  all  leaped  along  the  valley 
in  rapid  flight.  Quick  as  thought  the  rifles  began  to 
crack  in  every  direction,  while  old  Greenwood  raving 
around  his  cabin  remonstrated  at  the  deed,  tossed  his 
arms  aloft  with  violent  denunciation ;  and  stooping 
down  gathered  the  dust  in  his  palms,  and  sprinkled  it 
on  his  head,  swearing  he  was  innocent  of  their  blood. 
Meantime,  John  Greenwood  stood  beside  the  old  man 
in  stoic  silence,  too  brave  to  participate  in  the  massacre, 
but  too  ouch  of  a  crow  to  utter  his  disapproval.  But 
frantic  with  excitement  the  others  thought  only  of 
revenge,  and  the  balls  whistling  in  every  direction  laid 
five  of  the  warriors  dead  in  the  valley  and  mortally 
wounding  another,  only  one  escaping  unscathed.  The 
dying  rays  of  the  sun  deserting  the  bloody  scene,  yet 
lingered  on  the  mountain  top,  and  the  smoke  of  the 
discharge  rolled  in  thick  volume,  like  a  pall  over  the 
corpses  of  the  slain,  while  that  solitary  warrior  turned 


272  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

from  his  distant  height,  to  gaze  after  his  companions, 
a  moment  in  vain.  But  his  heart  quivered  with  ven 
geance,  and  the  thin  white  locks  of  the  old  man  in  the 
valley,  still  mingled  with  the  gray  twilight,  like  the 
sackcloth  and  ashes  of  despair. 

"  And  this  is  what  they  call  fighting  the  Indians ! 
A.  few  days  before  only,  we  saw  a  young  mountaineer 
wild  with  rage,  threaten  the  life  of  an  American  who 
had  ventured  to  suggest,  that  the  murders  committed 
by  these  Indians  were  provoked  by  many  previous 
murders  by  the  whites,  and  that  they  should  be  avenged 
by  the  death  of  the  guilty  among  the  Indians,  and  not 
by  an  indiscriminate  slaughter.". 

We  cannot  think  highly  of  the  civilization  of  the 
white  men  who  take  such  unmerciful  and  indiscriminate 
revenge  as  this.  Such  are  not  the  means  to  gain  the 
Indians  over  to  a  poace.  Revenge  only  breeds  revenge ; 
and  those  who  commit  such  slaughter  in  retaliation 
for  the  murder  of  one  or  two  mgn  must  look  to  the 
consequences. 

The  great  body  of  the  travel  to  California  is  at 
present  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama ;  but  those 
who  intend  to  settle  permanently  in  the  State,  and 
who  will  increase  the  real  population  of  it,  take  the 
overland  route  from  Independence,  Missouri.  The 
shortest  and  best  route  for  commercial  purposes  will 
soon  be  opened  across  Nicaragua.  This  will  have 
many  advantages  over  the  old  Isthmus  route,  but  will 
not  cause  that  one  to  be  abandoned  altogether.  Chagres 
has  become  somewhat  Americanized,  and  so  have 
Gorgona,  Cruces,  and  Panama.  Travel  has  been  some- 
what facilitated  by  the  addition  of  American  boats  on 
the  Chagres  River,  and  the  provision  of  the  mountain 
moles  for  the  rough  road  to  Panama,  in  sufficient 


HISTORY   OF   CALIiuuNIA.  273 

number  to  lower  the  price  of  travel  ind  decrease  th« 
delay. 

The  facilities  of  intercourse  between  California  and 
the  States  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  will  tend  to 
cement  her  to  the  Union  by  all  the  ties  of  trade  and 
mutual  interest.  The  people  of  that  State,  being  at 
BO  great  a  distance  from  the  rest  of  the  States,  would 
seem  to  be  alien  to  them  in  interest,  and,  therefore, 
that  an  independent  government  would  contribute 
most  to  their  prosperity.  But  mechanical  influences 
— the  telegraph — the  railroad  and  the  steam  vessel — 
annihilate  distance,  and  will  be  the  means  of  attaching 
the  Californians  to  the  confederacy.  In  her  union 
with  the  other  States,  there  is  her  strength.  She  will 
add  much  to  their  wealth  and  power,  but  her  free 
institutions — entirely  American,  require  the  support 
of  the  confederacy  which  produced  them — at  least, 
until  the  State  has  reached  her  maturity. 

What  will  be  the  future  California  is  a  question 
which  admits  of  a  ready  answer.  If  she  retains  her 
present  boundaries,  with  her  extensive  sea  coast,  and 
Her  progress  bears  any  proportion  to  that  since  the 
conquest,  in  fifty  years — it  is  a  warranted  conclusion — 
the  State  will  surpass  any  of  those  upon  the  Atlantic 
coast.  For,  what  State  has  such  united  commercial 
facilities  and  vast  resources  ?  Where  are  such  in- 
ternal wealth  and  such  splendid  harbors  to  be  found 
united  ?  It  is  probable,  however,  that  the  State  may 
b<;  divided,  after  the  population  has  reached  a  suffi- 
cient number.  It  is  the  opinion  of  some  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  present  Congress,  that  there  is  too  much 
sea  coast  for  one  State  to  possess,  and  that  has  been 
made  an  objection  t3  her  admission  into  the  Union,  with 
Ler  present  boundaries.  But  it  is  of  little  weight  at 


274  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

this  time.  After  the  State  has  existed  a  few  years, 
the  utility  of  such  a  division  as  is  proposed  will  be 
manifest  or  disproved.  In  the  mean  time,  let  Cali- 
fornia be  admitted  into  the  Union  as  her  people  have 
created  her,  and  then  she  will  have  every  thing  neces- 
sary for  her  to  g a  on  in  the  fulfilment  of  a  glorious 
destiny. 

The  gold  discoveries  in  New  Mexico  and  Oregon 
will  have  but  a  slight  influence  on  California  affairs. 
Yet  for  that  slight  influence,  they  deserve  to  be  men- 
tioned. The  recent  discoveries  in  New  Mexico,  would 
seem  to  indicate  that  the  El  Dorado  of  the  early 
Spanish  voyagers  has  been  found,  and  nearly  in  the 
place  to  which  their  attention  was  directed  by  the 
Indians.  A  late  number  of  the  Houston  Telegraph, 
says : 

"  That  preparations  are  in  progress  in  all  parts  of 
the  State,  for  a  grand  expedition  to  the  gold  region 
that  has  been  discovered  in  New  Mexico,  not  far  from 
the  ruins  of  the  celebrated  city  of  Grand  Quivira. 
Gold  mines  have  been  found  all  along  the  great  chain 
of  mountains  extending  from  the  sources  of  the  Ar- 
kansas and  Platte  Rivers,  by  Santa  Fe,  to  the  Puerto. 
Immense  excavations  are  shown  along  the  feet  of  these 
mountains,  and  the  ruins  of  vast  cities  indicate  that 
these  minea  were  once  worked  by  millions  of  people. 
The  geographical  formations  of  this  region  are  so 
similar  to  those  of  the  gold  regions  of  California?  tnat 
they  appear  to  be  identical,  and  contain  similar  de- 
posits of  the  precious  metals.  These  facts  have 
been  made  known  throughout  Texas,  and  the  Tele- 
graph would  not  be  surprised  to  find  that  the  emi- 
gration to  the  gold  region  of  Texas,  in  the  ensuing 
autumn,  should  exceed  the  emigration  to  California 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  27i 

The  "  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished"  has 
been  attained.  California  has  at  length  been  admitted 
to  take  her  place  as  a  star  of  the  confederated  repub- 
lic. The  bill  for  that  object  passed  the  House  of. 
Representatives  on  the  7th  of  September,  1850,  by  a 
vote  of  yeas,  one  hundred  and  fifty,  nays  fifty-six.  It 
had  previously  passed  the  Senate  by  a  no  less  decisive 
majority.  The  announcement  of  the  passage  of  the 
bill  was  received  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm  by  its 
friends,  and  considerable  excitement  upon  the  part 
of  its  opponents.  The  most  constant  exertions  were 
made  by  members  from  the  Southern  States  to  defeat 
the  bill  by  adjournment  and  by  numerous  amendments, 
but  they  were  unavailing.  California  triumphed. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

EVENTS  IN  CALIFORNIA  FROM  THE  ADMISSION  OF  THE 
STATE  INTO  THE  UNION  TO  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF 
1853. 

SINCE  the  foregoing  chapters  were  written,  events 
of  considerable  importance  have  transpired  in  Cali- 
fornia. Remarkable  political  steps  have  been  taken, 
and  disastrous  accidents  by  flood  and  fire  have  hap- 
pened. 

The  crimes  of  robbery  and  murder  becoming  of 
so  frequent  occurrence  in  San  Francisco  that  all 
security  of  person  and  property  was  threatened  with 
destruction,  a  meeting  of  citizens  was  called,  and  it 
was  resolved  to  organize  a  Vigilance  Committee,  fa; 


276  HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

the  summary  trial  and  execution  of  offenders.  Thia 
was  an  open  manifestation  of  contempt  for  the  consti- 
tuted authorities,  and  they  protested  against  it.  But 
a  majority  of  the  citizens  of  San  Francisco,  feeling 
that  extraordinary  measures  were  necessary,  sup- 
ported those  persons  who  were  appointed  upon  the 
Committee.  Such  officers  generally  abuse  the  exten- 
sive authority  conferred  upon  them ;  but  justice 
requires  that  we  should  say,  that  the  members  of  the 
San  Francisco  Vigilance  Committee  acted  throughout 
with  a  due  appreciation  of  an  awful  responsibility. 
Several  persons  were  arrested,  tried,  convicted  and 
hung.  One  or  two  were  notorious  criminals,  who  had 
often  been  up  before  the  regular  courts,  and  always 
contrived  to  elude  justice.  By  the  certain  and  sum- 
mary measures  of  the  Committee,  security  was  in  a 
great  measure  restored,  and  the  members  then  sur- 
rendered their  authority — acknowledging  the  entire 
supremacy  of  the  courts. 

In  October,  1851,  the  State  elections  occurred. 
The  contest  was  spirited.  The  Democrats  were  gener 
rally  successful.  John  Bigler,  their  gubernatorial 
candidate,  was  elected  by  about  thirteen  hundred 
majority  over  Mr.  Reading,  the  candidate  of  the 
Whigs.  At  the  succeeding  session  of  the  Legislature, 
John  B.  Weller,  formerly  of  Ohio,  was  elected  to  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  to  succeed  John  C.  Fre- 
mont, who  had  resigned  his  seat.  Mr.  Weller  had 
long  been  a  prominent  member  of  the  Democratic 
party.  He  commanded  the  Ohio  regiment  in  the 
Mexican  war.  It  was  believed  that  he  would  be  an 
efficient  colleague  of  the  industrious  and  practical 
Senator  Gwin. 

The  Chinese  portion  of  the  population  of  California 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  277 

has  gradually  become  quite  numerous.  They  have 
proved  themselves  steady,  energetic  and  useful  citi- 
zens. Gov.  Bigler,  however,  had  a  different  estima- 
tion of  them.  As  they  do  not  respect  the  oaths  and 
forms  established  by  law  for  the  regulation  of  busi- 
ness in  California,  he  thought  they  could  not  be 
bound  sufficiently  in  their  bargains  to  suit  the  busi- 
ness community;  and  accordingly  he  recommended 
to  the  Legislature,  that  some  measures  should  be 
adopted  for  checking  Chinese  immigration.  This 
called  forth  a  spirited  remonstrance  from  the  Chinese 
citizens  of  San  Francisco.  They  argued  with  much 
reason,  that  they  had  conducted  themselves  properly 
ever  since  they  had  entered  California,  and  that  there 
was  no  real  ground  of  complaint  against  them.  The 
methods  of  binding  them  were  explained,  it  is  believed, 
to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  business  community. 
We  should  think  that  Chinese  labor  would  be  in  great 
demand  in  California,  as  the  "  Celestials"  not  only 
work  for  less  than  the  Americans,  but  can  endure 
more  toil  and  exposure. 

In  October,  1852,  events  occurred  in  the  Mexican 
State  of  Sonora,  which  the  Californians  could  not  but 
regard  with  much  interest.  Count  de  Raousset-Boul- 
bon,  a  French  adventurer,  was  the  prime  actor,  in  a 
brief  but  stirring  drama,  in  that  quarter.  He  had 
come  to  California  in  search  of  fortune.  Being 
unsuccessful,  he  went  to  Mexico. 

At  the  period  of  his  arrival  there  the  Province 
of  Sonora  was  devastated  by  the  Alpaca  Indians,  who 
committed  all  sorts  of  depredations  with  impunity. 
Count  de  Raousset-Boulbon  presented  himself  to  the 
Mexican  Government,  and  offered  to  deliver  Sonora 
from  the  red-skins  with  which  it  was  infested.  The 
24 


278  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Mexican  9^vernment  was  ready  to  fall  upon  the  neck 
of  M.  d?  Raoosset-Boulbon.  "  I  am  a  Frenchman. 
[  know  the  country.  I  understand  war.  I  will  an- 
swer for  every  thing,"  said  the  Count.  "  Good,"  said 
the  government,  "  we  will  place  an  army  of  ten  thou- 
sand men  at  your  disposal."  "  Thank  you,"  said 
M.  de  Raousset-Boulbon,  "  keep  your  army ;  it  would 
only  get  in  my  way.  Give  me  some  muskets,  and 
two  hundred  thousand  francs,  and  leave  the  rest  to 
me."  He  received  the  required  sum,  returned  to 
Sonora.  organized  a  corps  of  Frenchmen,  resolute 
men  like  himself,  and  proceeded  to  hunt  down  the 
Indians.  The  merchants  of  the  country,  delighted 
with  the  successes  obtained  by  their  defender  against 
a  set  of  rascals  who  had  so  long  been  masters  of  their 
provinces,  sent  subsidies  to  M.  de  Raousset-Boulbon, 
put  themselves  ureter  his  protection,  and  assured  him 
that  neither  ho  nor  his  troops  should  ever  want  for  any 
thing  if  he  v;ruld  only  continue  the  war.  The  Count 
closed  with  the  offer.  But  the  popularity  of  the 
young  general,  and  the  success  of  his  little  army, 
alarmed  the  Mexican  Government. 

They  issued  an  order  requiring  him  to  quit  the 
country  with  his  forces.  Count  de  Raousset-Boulbon 
replied,  that  the  merchants  and  land-owners  of  the 
country  having  placed  Sonora  under  his  immediate 
protection,  he  felt  it  due  to  his  honor  not  to  abandon 
them,  and  consequently  he  distinctly  refused  to  obey 
the  order.  The  Mexican  Government  then  sent  a 
frigate  to  blockade  the  principal  port  of  Sonora. 
Count  de  Raousset-Boulbon  took  the  frigate.  The 
government  sent  Gen.  Blanco,  at  the  head  of  an 
army,  against  tho  French  commander.  A  battle  was 
fought,  and  after  a  short  but  fierce  struggle,  superior 


HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA.  279 

numbers  triumphed,  and  the  French  were  defeated. 
A  treaty  was  then  negotiated,  by  the  terms  of  which, 
Count  Boulbon  agreed  to  quit  Sonora,  in  considera- 
tion of  receiving  a  large  sum  of  money. 

It  is  the  prevailing  opinion  that  this  movement 
originated  in  a  mere  restless  spirit  of  adventure. 
But  there  are  some  sagacious  statesmen  at  Washing- 
ton and  some  keen-eyed  politicians  in  California,  who 
regard  it  as  having  had  the  object  of  organizing  a 
powerful  French  state,  which  might  check  the  pro- 
gress of  the  great  North  American  confederacy. 
Senator  Bell,  of  Tennessee,  predicted  that  such  a 
design  would  be  entertained,  and  such  a  movement 
executed  by  the  French.  It  is  well  that  the  people  of 
California  should  be  upon  their  guard.  A  republic 
can  have  no  safe  neighbors  but  republics.  There  are 
a  large  number  of  Frenchmen  in  California ;  but  if 
the  Americans  are  vigilant  there  is  nothing  to  be 
feared  from  them. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  1852,  the  presidential 
election  was  held  throughout  the  United  States. 
The  Democrats  carried  California  for  their  electoral 
ticket,  pledged  to  vote  for  Franklin  Pierce,  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  William  R.  King,  of  Alabama.  The 
state  election  occurred  at  the  same  time,  and  in  this, 
also,  the  Democrats  were  completely  successful. 

About  the  same  time,  destructive  fires  occurred  in 
various  parts  of  California.  The  greater  part  of  the 
city  of  Sacramento  was  laid  in  ashes  by  a  conflagra- 
tion, which  occurred  on  the  2d  of  November.  Of  this 
terrible  disaster,  the  San  Francisco  Herald  of  the 
4th  of  November,  gives  the  following  account : — 

At  11£  o'clock  on  Tuesday  evening,  a  fire  broke 
out  in  the  millinery  shop  of  Madam  Lauos,  on 


280  HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

J  street,  near  the  corner  of  Fourth.  The  inspectors 
were  counting  the  votes,  and  a  numerous  crowd  were 
awaiting  the  decision  of  the  judges,  so  that  no  time 
was  lost  in  delay.  With  astonishing  rapidity  the  fire 
spread  from  building  to  building  —  up,  down  and 
across  the  street,  in  five  minutes.  The  Crescent 
City  Hotel,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  was  in 
fomes,  and  being  of  inflammable  materials  and  of 
large  size,  sent  the  fiery  torrent  in  every  direction. 
The  hardware  store  of  Pawoth,  Eels  &  Co.  com- 
municated the  flames  to  the  brick  block  adjoining, 
which  was  speedily  burned  to  the  ground,  and  carried 
the  fire  up  street  on  both  sides,  until  it  reached  Eighth 
street,  and  on  the  south  side  of  J  street.  On  the 
corner  side,  from  Brown,  Kenny  &  Co.'s  brick  block, 
which  caught  from  the  Crescent  City  fire,  there  was 
nothing  to  stay  its  progress  but  the  Overton  Block, 
on  the  corner  of  Third  and  J  streets,  «n  the  one  side, 
and  Scudder,  Carroll  &  Co.  on  the  other.  For  a 
time  the  superhuman  exertions  put  forth  seemed  to 
check,  and  it  was  hoped  would  entirely  subdue  the 
fire,  and  the  boom  of  the  powder,  like  artillery,  that 
was  deposited  in  every  building,  by  the  hook  and 
ladder  boys,  was  deemed  the  signal  for  the  arrest  and 
staying  of  the  fire  on  this  line.  In  vain,  however ; 
the  wind,  heretofore  blowing  towards  the  levee,  in- 
creased to  a  gale  and  changed  to  the  north,  thus 
turning  the  fire  broadside  on,  and  in  five  minutes  it 
had  spread  to  M.  street. 

From  J  and  Third,  the  fire  curled  around  fecud- 
der  &  Carroll's,  and  extended  to  Dr.  Morrell's  drug 
store,  on  the  south  side  of  J  street,  which  proved  a 
barrier  for  a  time.  These  buildings,  of  wood,  were 
built  in  1849,  and  as  combustible  as  powder.  The 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  281 

hames  caught  the  wooden  building  opposite,  an<! 
spread  to  the  rear  on  I  street.  At  this  time,  W.  11. 
McCall  &  Co.'o  building  caught  on  the  roof.  The 
burning  of  their  building  sealed  the  fate  of  all  to  the 
levee,  on  both  sides  of  the  street,  and  bearing  down 
the  length  of  the  city,  the  flames  extended,  soon 
wrapping  the  Orleans  Hotel.  The  buildings  all  around 
were  blown  up  with  the  rapidity  of  magic,  carts  stand- 
ing ready  with  251b.  kegs  of  powder.  The  Union 
office  next  fell,  the  proprietors  saving  two  presses, 
type  and  paper  sufficient  for  a  few  days'  supply. 
The  Tahama  block,  containing  Page,  Bacon  &  Co.'s, 
Swift's  and  Grimes'  banking  offices,  saved,  wind 
changing,  blowing  directly  south  from  them.  J.  B. 
Starr's  store  also  made  a  wall  to  prevent  the  further 
spread  of  the  fire  in  that  direction.  At  this  moment 
the  fire  reached,  from  the  levee,  J  and  K  street  to 
Tenth,  one  sea  of  fire,  crumbling  every  thing  to  ashes. 
The  large  brick  store  of  J.  A.  Haines,  the  brick  blocks 
on  K — with  the  exception  of  that  of  the  Lady  Adams 
Co.  on  K,  between  First  and  K  streets — are  a  pile  of 
ruins.  The  L.  A.  Co.'s  buildings  stand  prominent  and 
erect  this  morning,  a  monument  to  the  proprietor's 
sagacity  and  good  sense.  The  families  on  the  line 
below  K  street,  were  busy  removing  their  valuables 
and  furniture,  when  the  flames  crossed  the  brick  bar- 
rier, and  swept  with  remorseless  fury  down  and  across, 
licking  with  its  forked  tongue  from  street  to  alley, 
apparently  shrivelling  the  wooden  buildings  with  a 
single  breath.  The  inmates  of  the  hospital,  seventy 
in  number,  were  taken  in  season  to  the  levee,  and 
from  thence  to  a  suitable  house,  by  Drs.  Briarly  and 
Williams.  The  City  market,  filled  with  hay,  and  the 
hospital,  were  the  last  on  that  line  of  the  fire,  where 
24* 


282  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

the  citizens  effectually  stopped  its  further  progress. 
On  F  street  the  brick  building  of  Reynolds  &  Co. 
made  but  a  light  barrier,  the  roof  falling  in  almost 
immediately,  with  three  of  No.  3's  engine  men,  who 
were  burned  to  death.  Every  thing  to  Eighth  street, 
on  the  north,  and  Ninth  Street  on  the  south  side  of 
J  street  to  Twelfth  street,  on  K  down  to  N  street  on 
the  southeast,  through  N  and  M  to  the  levee — the 
El  Dorado,  supposed  impregnable  hitherto,  as  also 
Merritt's,  Dr.  Morrill's,  Scudders',  and  Case  &  Co.'s 
are  completely  gutted. 

Thus  far  the  number  of  lives  ascertained  to  be  lost 
are  six.  Three  of  No.  3's  Engine  Company's  men, 
who  fell  with  the  roof  of  Reynolds  &  Co.'s  building, 
were  swallowed  up  alive ;  the  confusion  of  the  morn- 
ing, and  the  scattering  of  people,  prevented  a  roll  call 
to  ascertain  the  names  of  the  gallant  but  unfortunate 
firemen.  A  lady,  next  door  to  the  place  where  the 
fire  originated,  is  also  reported  burnt.  The  number 
scorched  is  enormous,  all  of  whom,  however,  are  care- 
fully attended  to  by  surgeons  on  board  the  Camanche. 
Every  assistance  possible  was  proffered  by  the  captains 
and  agents  of  the  steamers,  whose  vessels  were  soon 
crowded  with  females.  The  levee  was  strewn  with 
merchandise  of  every  description,  and  the  wind  blow- 
ing from  the  northwest  threw  the  sparks  from  the 
goods  and  saved  them  all.  At  5  A.  M.,  the  fire  had 
nearly  ceased,  the  smouldering  embers  throwing  huge 
clouds  of  smoke  and  lurid  flashes,  bringing  desolation 
to  the  hearts  of  all  who  witnessed  the  sickening  sight. 
The  losses  cannot  be  less  than  $5,000,000. 

On  the  evening  of  the  9th  of  November,  another 
great  fire  occurred  at  San  Francisco.  Of  this  the  Cali- 
fornia Whig  of  Nov.  10,  gives  the  following  account: — 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  283 

Last  evening,  at  half  past  eight  o'clock,  our  citizens 
were  alarmed  by  the  dreadful  cry  of  fire,  which  proved 
to  be  too  well  founded,  for  in  less  than  five  minutes 
the  whole  city  was  illumed  by  the  lurid  glare  of  the 
flames. 

There  is  much  contradiction  as  to  where  me  fire 
originated,  but  it  is  pretty  generally  conceded  that 
it  was  in  the  upper  story  of  the  frame  building  on 
the  corner  of  Merchant  and  Kearny  streets,  occupied 
by  some  lodgers. 

In  a  very  short  time  all  the  buildings  on  the  corner 
of  the  street  were  in  a  blaze,  and  wholly  beyond  tho 
power  of  human  aid  to  save.  The  close  proximity  of 
the  building  to  the  Union,  on  the  opposite  corner, 
rendered  the  probability  of  its  destruction  almost 
certain.  In  a  very  few  minutes  the  latter  building 
caught.  In  the  meantime  the  frame  buildings  on 
Merchant,  and  between  that  and  Clay  streets  caught, 
and  were  in  a  blaze. 

i'he  whole  force  of  the  fire  department  were 
promptly  on  the  spot,  with  their  apparatus,  and  put 
into  the  most  effective  service.  Never  since  they 
have  been  in  organization  have  they  displayed  their 
unequalled  energy  and  training  as  they  did  on  this 
occasion. 

Fortunately  for  the  safety  of  the  lower  part  of  the 
city,  there  was  but  little  air  stirring,  and  a  slight 
misty  ram  had  fallen  during  the  day  and  evening, 
which  checked  the  tendency  of  the  fire  to  spread 
towards  the  bay.  Had  it  not  been  for  this,  the  mass 
of  sparks  falling  upon  the  roofs  of  the  frame  buildings 
on  the  east  side  of  Montgomery  street,  must  have 
extended  it  to  the  whole  lower  side  of  the  city. 
These  buildings  were  covered  with  men  provided  with 


284  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

wet  blankets,  buckets  of  water,  and  every  thing 
necessary  to  extinguish  the  flames,  should  they  com- 
municate to  their  roofs. 

The  fire  burnt  eastward  to  the  buidings  of  Messrs. 
Austin  &  Lobdell,  fronting  on  Clay  street,  and  that 
of  Mr.  Naglee,  fronting  on  Merchant  street.  On 
the  north  side  of  Merchant  it  took  the  Union  llotel, 
and  all  the  buildings  fronting  on  that  street,  down 
towards  Montgomery,  to  Bolton  and  Barror.'s  build- 
ing. It  did  not  cross  over  to  Washington  in  any 
instance.  This  is  the  second  time  that  the  building 
of  Messrs.  Austin  &  Lobdell  has  proved  an  effectual 
barrier  to  the  progress  of  a  fire,  and  without  receiving 
the  least  injury  itself,  or  damaging  the  goods  within  it. 

Nothing  but  the  determined  and  unparalleled  efforts 
of  the  firemen  prevented  the  fire  from  extending  to 
the  south  side  of  Clay  street ;  as  it  <vas,  some  $10,000 
damage  was  done  to  goods  and  buildings  upon  that 
side. 

The  fire  broke  out,  as  we  have  said,  at  half  past 
eight  o'clock,  and  it  was  not  until  a  quarter  past  ten 
that  it  was  checked  or  its  further  spread  prevented, 
and  the  engines  worked  for  some  time  longer. 

The  records  of  the  different  courts  in  the  old  City 
Hall  were  removed,  but  thrown  into  the  utmost 
confusion. 

In  the  midst  of  the  excitement,  Mr.  Masalski,  a 
gentleman  well  known  to  the  community  as  the  former 
keeper  of  the  Sacramento  House,  rushed  to  the  scene 
of  disaster,  and  shortly  afterwards  returned  to  his 
dwelling.  He  was  immediately  seized  with  the  most 
alarming  symptoms,  and  in  a  few  moments  breathed 
flis  last.  Dr.  Guatier,  who  attended  him  in  his  last 
moments,  says  that  it  is  difficult  to  pronounce  upon 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  285 

the  cause  of  his  death,  other  than  that  it  was  brought 
about  by  congestion  of  the  brain,  but  what  was  the 
immediate  cause  of  this  congestion  he  is  unable  to  say 
at  present. 

It  is  of  course  impossible  for  us  to  give  a  correct 
estimate  of  the  losses  sustained,  but  we  have  heard  it 
variously  estimated  as  from  §150,000  to  $200,000. 

Other  destructive  fires  occurred  at  Marysville, 
Sonora,  Stockton,  San  Diego  and  in  the  agricultural 
districts,  an  immense  amount  of  property  being 
destroyed.  In  the  cities,  the  damage  was  repaired, 
with  an  astonishing  rapidity,  but  some  individuals 
were  utterly  ruined — the  results  of  years  of  labor 
being  swept  away  in  a  single  night.  The  cities  of 
California  are  now  generally  supplied  with  fire  en- 
gines and  hook  and  ladder  companies.  But  these 
machines  are  not  always  available. 

The  mining  news  contained  in  California  papers 
of  November,  1852,  is  very  interesting. 

A  letter  dated  Nevada,  Oct.  24,  says  that  the  con- 
tinued dry  weather  has  given  unusual  opportunities 
and  facilities  to  miners  now  working  in  the  river 
channels.  At  the  best  these  operations  are  very  pre- 
carious in  their  nature — necessarily  attended  with  a 
vast  outlay,  and  frequently,  where  the  most  sanguine 
hopes  were  entertained,  the  results  have  been  most 
unfortunate.  The  time  few  working  in  the  rivers  is 
usually  confined  to  a  very  limited  period,  the  water 
being  seldom  or  never  sufficiently  low  to  work  to 
advantage  earlier  than  September ;  it  follows,  there- 
fore, that  every  additional  week  of  dry  weather  ia 
of  the  utmost  value  to  such  as  are  thus  engaged. 
Luckily  for  them,  the  present  dry  season  has  been 
unusually  protracted,  consequent  upon  which,  tht 


28G  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

rivers  are  at  an  exceedingly  low  stage,  and  -the  success 
of  the  miner  proportionate  to  this  advantage.  On  the 
other  hand,  those  interested  in  ravine  and  hill  mining 
(by  far  the  greater  proportion  of  the  miners,)  are 
anxiously  awaiting  the  wet  season  for  a  supply  of 
water — without  which,  all  their  labor  is  fruitless. 

The  Bear  River  and  Auburn  Water  Company's 
canal  is  so  far  completed  as  to  be  available  to  the 
miners  by  the  first  rains,  notwithstanding  the  great 
expense  and  time  attending  its  construction,  arising 
from  a  want  of  experience,  and  so  far  beyond  the 
calculations  of  its  projectors.  This  work  traverses  an 
extensive  and  rich  mining  country,  totally  dependent 
upon  the  canal  for  water,  which  cannot  be  exhausted 
for  many  years. 

The  discovery  of  a  continuation  of  the  celebrated 
Coyote  lead,  in  Nevada,  from  which  so  many  millions 
of  the  precious  metals  were  extracted  in  '50  and  '51, 
is  now  established  beyond  a  doubt.  As  yet  it  is  not 
developed  to  any  great  extent,  but  enough,  however, 
to  give  employment  to  a  goodly  number  of  miners. 
The  character  of  the  lead  continues  to  be  similar  to 
the  old  mines,  in  appearance  and  productiveness. 
A  few  weeks'  further  investigation  of  the  locality  will 
no  doubt  give  a  new  impetus  to  mining  operations 
here,  which  have  latterly  been  somewhat  stagnant. 

The  Sacramento  Journal  says : — We  have  -been 
shown  a  lot  of  the  gold  taken  out  of  the  Mokelumne 
run,  valued  at  $2,500,  which  was  superior  to  any 
thing  we  ever  examined  before.  The  pieces  of  glitter- 
ing ore  were  of  sizes  varying  from  a  cucumber  seed 
up  to  a  pumpkin  seed,  and  all  in  that  flat,  oval  shap« 
BO  peculiarly  characteristic  of  Mokelumne  gold.  It 
was  sent  down  from  the  store  of  D.  L.  Angitr,  in 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  287 

Calaveras  county,  and  we  are  informed  that  the  same 
company  of  six  men  that  disposed  of  it,  have  taken  out 
of  the  claim  $36,000  of  the  same  kind  of  specimens. 

Gold  has  been  found  in  considerable  quantities  in 
the  mountains  back  of  San  Buenaventura.  The 
existence  of  the  gold  was  made  known  by  the  Indians 
*o  some  white  men,  who,  on  visiting  the  spot  indicated, 
were  rewarded  with  six  ounces  of  the  precious  metal. 
The  prospect  is  said  to  be  good. 

Three  quartz  mills  have  recently  commenced  ope- 
rations in  Scott  valley.  We  have  not  received  any 
definite  information  as  to  what  these  mills  have  ac- 
complished, but  are  informed  that  one  of  them  is  pro- 
ducing gold  in  great  abundance. 

The  Columbia  Mining  Company  took  out  12  Ibs. 
of  gold  in  one  day,  and  8  Ibs.  at  night — making  in  all 
20  Ibs.  The  same  gentleman  informs  us  that  miners 
generally  in  that  vicinity  are  doing  remarkably  well. 

New  diggings  have  been  discovered  near  the  Ame- 
rican ranche.  Those  working  there  are  getting  well 
paid,  in  coarse,  heavy  gold.  They  are  making  from 
$12  to  $20  per  day  to  the  man.  The  diggings  are 
ravine  diggings,  and  can  be  worked  all  winter. 

A  convention  of  the  quartz  miners  of  Nevada 
county  was  to  have  been  held  at  Nevada  on  the 
13th  of  November,  to  adopt  measures  having  for  their 
purpose  more  unity  of  operation  and  greater  security 
of  labor  and  capital. 

The  San  Francisco  papers  of  Jan.  1,  1853,  contain 
most  interesting  intelligence  of  the  state  of  the  gold 
region.  The  following  is  the  most  important : — 

The  present  winter  is  conceded  to  be  the  most 
severe  experienced  in  this  country  since  it  has  been 
populated  by  Americans.  During  the  last  fortnight 


288  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA 

it  has  been  raining  and  snowing  continually  in  the 
mountains  and  valleys,  and  we  are  daily  in  the 
receipt  of  accounts  of  disasters  and  suffering  in  all 
parts  of  the  state.  The  waters  have  been  unusually 
high,  and  communication  through  the  mining  regions 
almost  entirely  cut  off,  either  by  snow  or  overflowed 
streams.  The  rivers  have  been  swelled  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  inundate  all  the  low  lands,  causing 
immense  damage,  destroying  stock  ind  agricultural 
products. 

The  whole  country  between  Tehama  and  Sacra- 
mento city  was  entirely  under  water,  whilst  Marys- 
ville  was  partly  inundated,  and  though  Sacramento 
city  was  well  protected  by  a  levee,  the  lower  portions 
were  submerged.  The  waters  at  the  present  time 
have  subsided,  although  the  rains  still  continue.  On 
the  mountain  streams,  the  loss  of  mining  implements 
has  been  great,  and  all  work  for  the  present  is  sus- 
pended. Bridges  have  been  swept  away,  and  ferries 
destroyed,  and  some  few  lives  lost.  The  southern 
portion  of  the  mining  district  has  suffered  equally 
with  the  northern.  Stockton  has  been  inundated 
partially,  and  property  to  a  considerable  amount 
destroyed.  The  bridges  on  the  Calaveras,  Stanislaus, 
and  other  streams  have  been  swept  away,  and  com- 
munication with  the  mining  towns  for  a  while  sus- 
pended. The  flood  has  been  universal,  and  the  waters 
higher  than  in  the  memorable  winter  of  1849. 

The  great  scarcity  of  provisions,  an4  the  conse- 
quent high  prices,  have  occasioned  much  suffering 
and  distress  already,  and  it  is  feared  that  many  will 
actually  die  from  starvation.  Many  miners  subsist 
entirely  on  beef  and  potatoes,  whilst  in  other  portions 
of  the  mines  there  are  hundreds  who  have  nothing  at 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  289 

all  but  barley  and  potatoes.  In  portions  of  Yuba 
and  Sierra  county  the  snow  was  already  ten  feet  deep, 
and  still  falling,  and  the  miners  actually  reduced  to 
absolute  want. 

In  one  place  they  held  a  meeting  and  forced  a 
trader  to  sell  what  flour  he  had  on  hand  at  45  centa 
per  pound,  and  all  who  were  able  to  leave  did  so, 
thus  leaving  the  provisions  for  those  who  were  unable 
to  find  their  way  through  the  snows  to  the  valleys. 
In  some  places  cabins  are  entirely  covered  with  snow, 
and  the  roofs  of  many  have  been  crushed  in,  thus 
cutting  off  the  last  chance  of  protection.  The  accounts 
received  may  be  greatly  exaggerated — nevertheless, 
there  is  much  suffering  and  distress,  and  it  is  not 
improbable  that  some  may  perish  by  starvation. 

A  few  days  since,  we  were  visited  with  a  terrible 
southeast  gale,  which  prevailed  for  two  days.  Several 
light  tenements  were  blown  down,  and  some  injury 
done  to  the  shipping  in  the  harbor.  For  a  day  or 
two,  communication  by  stage  with  San  Jose  was  cut 
off,  owing  to  the  sudden  rise  of  the  intermediate 
streams. 

Several  important,  decisions  have  been  rendered  in 
our  courts,  among  which  is  the  decision  of  the  State 
Supreme  Court,  recognizing  the  right  of  native  claim- 
ants of  land  to  the  summary  remedy  of  ejectment 
where  they  are  disturbed  by  squatters.  This  applies 
to  parties  who  are  in  possession  of  their  claims,  and 
relieves  them  from  what,  by  a  previous  decision  of  the 
court,  was  a  necessity,  that  they  should  incur  first  the 
expensive  process  of  a  writ  of  right  in  order  to  prove 
their  title. 

The  Land  Commission  are  making  considerable 
progress  in  the  adjudication  of  claims.  Of  these,  the 
25 


290  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

most  important,  perhaps,  is  that  of  Mr.  Fremont,  to 
a  large  tract  of  land  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Mari- 
posa  river.  The  Commission  recognizes  his  claim  to 
the  land,  but  does  not  undertake  to  decide  upon  his 
title  to  the  mineral  wealth,  which,  as  is  well  known, 
is  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  grant. 

A  convention  of  Quartz  Miners,  held  at  Nevada, 
have  adopted  a  code  of  laws  for  the  government  of 
those  working  quartz  veins  in  that  country. 

Barley  has  been  used  for  bread  in  some  places  iv 
the  interior,  and  is  found  to  be  a  good  substitute  for 
flour. 

Farmers  are  getting  their  lands  ready  for  the  crops 
of  the  next  year,  and  it  is  understood  that  considera- 
ble quantities  of  wheat  will  be  sown.  Preparations 
are  also  being  made  for  the  erection  of  grist  mills, 
and  it  is  not  likely  another  season  will  find  us  so 
depeadant  upon  foreign  supply  for  breadstuffs. 

There  was  considerable  excitement  in  California, 
during  the  latter  part  of  December,  about  a  supposed 
monopoly  of  flour.  The  article  had  been  very  scarce 
and  high  for  some  time,  and  the  exorbitant  rates  it 
commanded  were  attributed  in  a  great  measure  to  an 
organized  effort  to  force  up  prices.  Indignation  meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  interior,  and  in  San  Francisco 
several  of  the  public  prints  endeavored  to  expose  the 
supposed  plots  of  the  speculators.  The  timely  arrival 
of  cargoes  from  Chili  and  elsewhere,  however,  soon 
caused  a  decline,  and  the  excitement  on  the  subject 
consequently  abated. 

Vallejo  has  been  made  the  capital  of  the  state.  It 
possesses  many  advantages  of  situation,  and  promises 
to  be  a  large  city.  If  the  government  should  continue 


HISTORY   OF   OALIFOKNU  21*1 

to  have  its  seat  there,  Vallejo  may  prove  a  formidable 
rival  to  San  Francisco. 

At  Sacramento  city  much  alarm  prevailed,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  rise  of  the  water  in  the  river  and  its 
tributaries.  The  papers  say : — 

The  warm  and  unprecedented  heavy  rains  of  the 
last  forty-eight  hours  have  brought  down  upon  us  an 
avalanche  of  water  from  the  snowy  regions  skirting 
the  forks  of  the  American  River,  and  swollen  the 
latter  stream  to  a  greater  height  than  at  any  former 
period  of  the  present  season. 

At  9  o'clock,  yesterday  morning,  the  water  was 
even  with  its  natural  banks,  and  soon  after  com- 
menced percolating  through  the  unfinished  embank- 
ments at  the  gaps  of  the  old  levee.  These  were 
speedily  torn  away  by  the  force  of  the  current,  and 
the  water,  now  running  on  unobstructed  through  the 
breach  of  the  new  levee,  and  so  on  down  towards  the 
city. 

By  dusk  last  evening,  that  portion  of  the  town 
lying  south  of  J  and  east  of  Fifth  street,  was  entirely 
submerged,  to  the  depth  of  from  one  to  three  feet. 
During  the  whole  of  yesterday  the  rain  poured  down 
in  torrents,  and  the  weather  was  warmer  than  we 
have  known  it  for  a  month  past.  The  American 
river  continued  to  rise,  up  to  a  very  late  hour,  and, 
at  last  accounts,  was  eleven  and  a  half  feet  higher 
than  on  Wednesday. 

It  is  useless  to  deny  the  fact  that  the  highest  mark 
has  not  yet  been  reached,  for  there  is  a  great  body 
of  snow  that,  under  the  influence  of  the  present 
storm,  must  dissolve,  and  find  its  way  to  the  Sacra- 
mento. The  latter  stream  also  rose  steadily  during 


292  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Thursday,  but  still  lacks  some  two  feet  of  being  up  to 
the  top  of  the  levee. 

There  is  no  danger  whatever  of  the  embankment 
yielding  at  any  point  in  front  of  the  city — the  only 
danger  to  be  apprehended  is  that  it  may  not  prove 
sufficiently  high  to  retain  the  stream  within  its  appro- 
priate bounds. 

A  small  breach  was  discovered  early  yesterday 
morning  in  the  new  levee,  near  Dudley's  farm,  but  it 
was  repaired  before  any  damage  was  done. 

There  was  a  rumor  prevailing  last  evening  that 
Lisle's  bridge  had  been  swept  away,  but  could  be 
traced  to  no  reliable  source. 

Every  body  is  busily  engaged  in  making  prepara- 
tions to  meet  the  anticipated. flood.  Merchants  and 
shopkeepers,  and  all  having  property  on  the  ground 
floor,  are  raising  them  above  high  water  mark — boats 
are  moored  at  the  doors — vehicles  of  every  descrip- 
tion, stock,  grain,  tents,  hay,  provisions  and  people, 
are  crowded  together  on  the  public  square,  and  every 
available  dry  nook  and  corner  is  occupied. 

The  Marysville  Express  of  the  20th,  says :  "  The 
water  is  within  three  or  four  inches  as  high  as  it  was 
at  the  last  flood,  when  it  was  6£  inches  higher  than 
ever  known  before.  The  rain  is  still  falling  heavily, 
and  when  we  consider  the  enormous,  almost  frightful, 
quantity  of  snow  in  the  mountains,  the  most  alarming 
fears  may  most  reasonably  be  entertained.  All  seem 
to  join  in  the  belief  that  the  present  will  exceed  any 
previous  flood  known. 

The  accounts  we  receive  from  the  mining  districts 
are  really  heart  rending ;  death  by  cold  and  starva- 
tion has  visited  many  poor  unfortunate's,  while  as  yet 
the  tale  of  horrors  is  but  half  told.  It  was  feared 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  293 

that  as  intelligence  should  be  received  from  the  Lioun- 
tains,  we  shall  have  to  record  the  sad  fate  of  many 
more. 

Great  quantities  of  gold  are  still  obtained  in  Cali- 
fornia. The  average  value  of  the  gold  dust  brought 
by  each  steamer  of  the  Panama  line  is  about  $500,000. 
This  is  an  astonishing  production ;  and  we  are  almost 
ready  to  believe  the  enthusiastic  declarations  of  the 
first  adventurers  in  this  El  Dorado,  that  the  gold  re- 
gion is  inexhaustible. 

Emigration  to  California  continues  to  be  extensive. 
Most  of  those  who  intend  to  become  permanent  settlers 
proceed  by  the  overland  route,  from  Independence, 
Missouri,  to  Sacramento  City.  Late  in  the  summer 
of  every  year,  a  relief  train  is  sent  from  the  settled 
portion  of  California,  to  meet  the  emigrants.  Many 
persons  are  thus  saved  from  death  by  starvation. 
The  expense  of  the  relief  train  is  a  consideration  of 
little  importance,  when  its  object  is  borne  in  mind. 
Had  the  same  measure  been  adopted  soon  after  the 
gold  discovery,  many  of  those  whose  bones  are  bleach- 
ing on  the  plains,  would  have  survived  to  become  use- 
ful citizens  of  California. 

Interesting  proceedings  have  taken  place  in  the 
United  States  Senate,  in  regard  to  the  Tehuantepec 
route  to  California.  The  Mexican  government  has 
shown  a  disposition  to  prevent  the  construction  of  a 
road  across  Tehuantepec,  which  some  senators  think 
should  be  promptly  rebuked.  In  a  recent  speech 
upon  the  subject,  Mr.  Mason,  of  Virginia,  said  that 
the  acquisition  of  California  and  the  intervening  terri- 
tory, placed  this  Government  in  the  position  of  having 
some  of  its  dependencies  almost  inaccessible.  The 
discovery  of  the  gold  in  California,  made  the  subjti-t 
21 


294  HISTORY    OF    CALIFOIiXI.A. 

of  a  communication  with  that  region,  of  the  deepest 
importance,  and  has  naturally  drawn  the  eyes  of  the 
world  to  the  necessity  of  securing  some  safe,  reliable, 
and  speedy  right  of  way  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Pana- 
ma has  been  sought,  and  it  has  been  used  as  a  place 
of  transit,  without  any  serious  objection  on  the  part 
of  any  government  there.  Mexico  alone  has  inter- 
posd  an  obstacle  to  this  desired  communication  with 
the  Pacific.  Mexico,  from  whom  our  territory  was 
derived,  and  who  id  our  neighbor  and  sister  Kepublic, 
has  alone  refused  the  right  of  way  to  the  world,  and 
has  not  only  refused  the  right  of  transit  to  other 
nations,  but  has  also  set  aside  an  existing  grant  of 
that  right.  For  years,  enterprises  have  been  pro- 
jected to  connect  the  two  Oceans  at  Tehuantepec. 
In  view  of  the  vast  importance  of  this  connection,  the 
minds  of  the  people  of  the  United  States  have  been 
concentrated  upon  the  discovery  of  that  plan  which 
shall  be  the  least  expensive,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
most  certain  and  efficient,  to  unite  the  two  Oceans  by 
means  of  travel  or  transportation.  Mr.  Mason  read 
a  table  showing  the  distance  between  New  York  and 
San  Francisco  by  the  Chagres  route,  to  be  6650  miles ; 
between  New  Orleans  and  San  Francisco,  by  way  of 
Chagres,  5675  miles;  between  New  York  and  San 
Francisco,  by  the  Tehuantepec  route,  4970  ;  between 
New  Orleans  and  San  Francisco,  by  the  Tehuantepec, 
3740  miles.  The  average  time  from  New  York  to 
San  Francisco,  by  the  Chagres  route,  was  28  days, 
and  the  shortest  24  days.  The  average  time  by  the 
Tehuantepec  route  was  19  days,  and  the  shortest  15. 
From  New  Orleans,  by  way  ^  ~*  uuantepec,  the 
average  time  would  V  *  and  the  shortest 

12  days. 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  295 

It  is  believed  that  spirited  action  on  the  part  of  our 
government  will  secure  from  Mexico  the  recognition 
of  a  right  of  way  across  Tehuantepec,  which,  accord* 
ing  to  Senator  Mason's  able  representation,  is  but  a 
matter  of  justice.  Mexico  is  at  present  almost  ready 
to  fall  to  pieces,  most  of  its  states,  or  provinces,  being 
in  successful  rebellion.  She  is  not,  therefore,  in  a 
condition  to  resist  a  formidable  foreign  power.  It  is 
lamentable,  when  a  government  is  weak,  and  yet 
dares  to  be  unjust.  The  people  of  California  have  a 
considerable  stake  in  the  decision  of  the  Tehuantepec 
question. 

The  gold  region  is  constantly  being  extended  by 
new  discoveries- — especially  in  the  north-eastern  sec- 
tion of  the  state.  In  the  meantime  the  old  mines 
continue  to  yield  a  good  profit  to  industrious  laborers. 
Before  the  recent  flood,  the  mining  news  from  the 
Mariposa  diggings  was  very  favorable — the  miners 
averaging  from  $25  to  $30  a  day.  On  Cottonwood 
Creek,  Shosta  Valley,  operations  were  also  well  re- 
warded— one  company  making  $100  per  day  to  the 
hand.  The  number  of  persons  engaged  in  mining  and 
crushing  the  gold-bearing  quartz  is  very  large,  and 
the  yield  rewards  the  toil. 

The  miners  still  occasionally  take  upon  themselves 
the  punishij^nt  of  offenders.  Recently,  a  half-breed 
Mexican,  named  John  Bathus,  having  stolen  $800  in 
gold  dust  from  S.  B.  Star,  on  the  Klamath,  was 
caught,  tried  by  the  miners  of  the  district,  convicted, 
sentenced  to  be  shot,  and  executed  accordingly. 
About  the  same  time,  a  man  named  Morrison,  having 
committed  a  theft  among  the  miners  on  Humbug 
Creek,  was  caught,  anc  received  twelve  lashes  on  his 
bare  back.  These  cases,  however,  occurred  in  wild 


296  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

districts,  where  the  laws  of  the  State  are  but  imper- 
fectly executed,  and  where  summary  measures  can 
alone  secure  the  miner  in  possession  of  his  hard-earned 
property. 

The  Indians  in  the  State  are  very  troublesome,  in 
Bpite  of  the  strong  regular  force  kept  in  vigilant  ser- 
vice. The  most  recent  disturbances  have  occurred  in 
Trinity  County,  whither  Gen.  Hitchcock  was  com- 
pelled to  despatch  a  company  of  United  States  troops. 
Prompt  and  vigorous  measures  being  adopted,  the 
savages  were  quieted.  Other  disturbances  in  that 
section  of  the  country  about  the  mouth  of  the  Kla- 
math,  were  terminated  as  promptly. 

A  late  number  of  the  Shasta  Courier  says,  the 
Indians  on  Churn  Creek,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Sac- 
ramento river,  have  become  very  annoying  to  the 
whites.  They  have  stolen  a  great  many  mules,  and 
are  constantly  watching  for  opportunities  to  take 
human  life.  But  recently,  a  man  named  Henry  Wei- 
den,  was  pursued  for  several  miles  by  a  band  of  these 
Indians,  and  narrowly  escaped  with  his  life.  In  con- 
sequence of  these  outrages,  a  company  of  miners  was 
formed  for  the  purpose  of  driving  the  savages  to  a 
safer  distance,  or  exterminating  them.  The  company 
was  equipped  for  efficient  service  in  the  mountains. 
The  Indians  fled  before  them,  and  could  not  be  over- 
taken, 

Several  months  previous  the  Indians  on  the  Gila 
were  incited  to  war  by  some  reckless  Mexicans. 
Several  expeditions  were  sent  against  them  from  Fort 
Yumas,  and  recently  the  savages  have  been  so  far 
quieted,  that  the  country  is  now  considered  safe  for 
emigrants. 

Among  the  new  and  most  remarkable  placer»y  are 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  297 

the  gold  bluffs,  situated  near  the  mouth  of  the  Kla- 
math  river,  about  thirty  miles  north  of  Trinidad. 
The  approach  to  them  by  land  is  over  a  plain  of  sand, 
into  which  the  traveller  sinks  ankle-deep  at  every 
step.  The  bluffs  stretch  along  some  five  or  six  miles, 
and  present  a  perpendicular  front  to  the  ocean  of 
from  100  to  400  feet  in  height.  In  ordinary  weather 
the  beach  is  from  20  to  50  feet  in  width,  composed 
of  a  mixture  of  gray  and  black  sand,  the  latter  con- 
taining the  gold  in  scales  so  fine  that  they  cannot  be 
separated  by  the  ordinary  process  of  washing ;  so 
that  resort  must  be  had  to  chemical  means.  The 
beach  changes  with  every  tide,  and  sometimes  no 
black,  auriferous  sand  is  to  be  seen  on  the  surface. 
By  digging  down,  it  is  found  mixed  with  gray  sand, 
which  largely  predominates.  The  violence  of  the 
surf  renders  landing  in  boats  impracticable.  When 
the  beach  was  discovered  early  in  1851,  several  tons 
of  goods  were  landed  from  a  steamer  despatched 
thither,  by  means  of  lines  from  the  vessel  to  the 
shore.  The  Pacific  Mining  Company  have  made  good 
profits  in  working  the  bluffs  and  the  sand  of  the 
beach. 

Tunneling  has  been  carried  on  quite  extensively  in 
the  mining  region.  Some  of  the  tunnels  through 
solid  rock  are  wonderful  achievements.  At  Duggan's 
Flat,  a  party  bored  150  feet  in  the  solid  rock  before 
finding  the  gold. 

Professor  Forrest  Shepherd,  of  New  Haven,  has 
made  some  remarkable  discoveries  of  thermal  action 
in  California.  In  one  place  where  there  was  nothing 
on  the  surface  to  attract  attention,  on  digging  down 
the  heat  increased  so  rapidly  that  at  the  depth  of  two 
feet  he  could  not  bear  his  hand  in  the  earth,  and  the 


298  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

thermometer  indicated  a  temperature  of  130  degrees. 
At  another  place,  after  -wandering  for  four  daya 
through  dense  thickets,  he  came  upon  a  chasm  a  thou- 
sand feet  deep,  through  which  flowed  a  stream,  the 
banks  of  which,  on  the  8th  of  February,  were  covered 
with  vegetation.  Following  up  the  stream,  the  earth 
grew  so  hot  as  to  burn  the  feet  through  the  boots. 
There  was  no  appearance  of  lava,  and  the  rocks  were 
being  dissolved  by  a  powerful  catalytic  action.  From 
innumerable  orifices  steam  was  forced  to  the  height 
of  two  hundred  feet.  The  number  of  spouting  geysers 
and  boiling  springs,  on  a  half  mile  square,  exceeded 
two  hundred.  The  Professor,  in  the  course  of  a  lec- 
ture delivered  at  San  Jose,  said  he  did  not  doubt  that 
silver,  lead,  and  iron  abounded  in  California. 

The  legislation  of  Congress  in  regard  to  California 
has  sometimes  been  of  a  very  unsatisfactory  cha- 
racter. By  an  act  passed  in  1850,  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury  was  authorized  to  contract  upon  the 
most  reasonable  terms  with  the  proprietors  of  some 
well-established  assaying  works  then  in  successful 
operation  in  California,  who  should  perform  such 
duties  in  assaying  and  fixing  the  value  of  gold  in 
grains  and  lumps,  and  in  forming  the  same  into  bars, 
as  should  be  prescribed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Trea- 
sury, and  the  assayer  was  to  fix  the  stamp  of  the 
United  States,  indicating  the  degree  of  fineness  and 
value,  upon  each  bar  or  ingot.  This  was  a  measure 
of  convenience,  and  the  merchants  of  the  California 
ports  had  then  ample  means  of  paying  their  custom 
house  duties.  In  1852,  however,  Congress  passed 
an  act,  creating  a  branch  mint  of  the  United  States 
in  California :  and  to  this  act  was  appended  a  clause, 
repealing  the  act  which  authorized  the  office  of  As 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  299 

sayer,  as  soon  as  public  notice  was  given  of  the  crea- 
tion of  the  branch  mint.  In  consequence  of  this 
legislation,  the  Assayer's  office  was  abolished,  and 
yet  there  was  no  mint  for  coining  in  the  golden  land. 
Time  was  required  for  making  the  necessary  appro- 
priation of  money,  erecting  buildings,  and  construct- 
ing machinery,  all  of  which  had  not  been  considered. 
The  clause  of  the  former  act  which  made  the  stamped 
ingots  receivable  for  duties  was  repealed.  The  mer- 
chants of  California  had  no  means  of  paying  their 
duties  at  the  custom  house,  and  great  excitement  and 
confusion  ensued.  Finally,  an  arrangement  was  made 
with  the  Collector  of  San  Francisco,  under  which  un- 
coined gold  could  be  received  in  payment  of  duties, 
and  then  business  went  on  as  usual.  Care  is  one  of 
the  first  essentials  of  beneficial  legislation.  The  cir- 
cumstance that  the  people  of  California  are  so  far  from 
the  seat  of  the  federal  government,  requires  a  strict 
attention  in  legislators,  to  prevent  evils  which  cannot 
be  quickly  remedied. 

The  people  of  California  seem  to  be  deeply  inte- 
rested in  the  construction  of  a  great  railroad  from 
the  Mississippi  to  the  Pacific.  At  San  Diego,  seve- 
ral meetings  have  been  held,  and  reports  adopted, 
advocating  and  exhibiting  the  advantages  of  a  south- 
ern route  for  the  proposed  railroad.  The  route  which 
the  meetings  favored  is  to  start  from  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  or  some  of  its  tributaries,  and  passing  through 
Texas,  Louisiana,  and  New  Mexico  to  California,  and 
strike  the  Pacific  at  San  Diego.  Its  entire  length 
would  not  exceed  sixteen  hundred  miles,  whilst  it 
would  have  the  advantages,  as  alleged  by  the  report, 
of  passing  through  a  section  in  which  universal  sum- 


300  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

mer  prevails,  and  of  affording  opportunities  for  late 
ral  roads  connecting  with  the  cities  of  Mexico,  througl 
which  a  large  trade  might  be  obtained.  The  subject 
has  been  brought  to  the  consideration  of  Congress, 
and  that  body  has  prudently  appropriated  a  largt 
Bum  for  a  survey  of  the  various  routes  proposed. 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX  A. 

CONSTITUTION  OF  CALIFORNIA^ 
PROCLAMATION  TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  CALIFORNIA 

THE  delegates  of  the  people  assembled  in  Conven- 
tion, have  formed  a  constitution,  which  is  now  pre- 
sented for  your  ratification.  The  time  and  manner 
of  voting  on  this  constitution,  and  of  holding  the 
first  general  election,  are  clearly  set  forth  in  the  sche- 
dule. The  whole  subject  is,  therefore,  left  for  your 
unbiassed  and  deliberate  consideration. 

The  Prefect  (or  person  exercising  the  functions  of 
that  office)  of  each  district,  will  designate  the  places 
for  opening  the  polls,  and  give  due  notice  of  the  elec- 
tion, in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  consti- 
tution and  schedule. 

The  people  are  now  called  upon  to  form  a  goveva- 
ment  for  themselves,  and  to  designate  such  officers  as 
they  desire,  to  make  and  execute  the  laws.  That 
their  choice  r*ay  be  wisely  made,  and  that  the  govern 

801 


302  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

ment  <o  organized  may  secure  the  permanent  welfare 
and  happiness  of  the  people  of  the  new  State,  is  the 
sincere  and  earnest  wish  of  the  present  Executive, 
who,  if  the  constitution  be  ratified,  will,  with  pleasure, 
surrender  his  powers  to  whomsoever  the  people  may 
designate  as  his  successor. 

Given  at  Monterey,  California,  this  12th  day  of 
October,  A.  D.,  1849. 

(Signed)  B.  BILEY, 

Brevet  Brig.  General,  U.  S.  A.,  and  Governor  of 
California. 

(Official)  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

Brevet  Captain  and  Secretary  of  State. 


WE  THE  PEOPLE  OF  CALIFORNIA,  GRATEFUL  TO  AL- 
MIGHTY GOD  FOR  OUR  FREEDOM,  IN  ORDER  TO 
SECURE  ITS  BLESSINGS,  DO  ESTABLISH  THIS  CON- 
STITUTION : — 

ARTICLE  I. 

DECLARATION    OF    RIGHTS. 

SEC.  1.  All  men  are  by  nature  free  and  indepen- 
dent, and  have  certain  inalienable  rights,  among 
which  are  those  of  enjoying  and  defending  life  and 
liberty,  acquiring,  possessing,  and  protecting  property, 
and  pursuing  and  obtaining  safety  and  happiness. 

SEC.  2.  All  political  power  is  inherent  in  the  peo- 
ple. Government  is  instituted  for  the  protection,  se- 
curity, and  benefit  of  the  people ;  and  they  have  the 
right  to  alter  or  reform  the  same,  whenever  the  pub- 
lic good  may  require  it. 


HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA.  303 

SEC.  3.  Th.e  right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  be  secured 
^  all,  and  remain  inviolate  for  ever ;  but  a  jury  trial 
may  be  waived  by  the  parties,  in  all  civil  cases,  in  the 
manner  to  be  prescribed  by  law. 

SEC.  4.  The  free  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  reli- 
gious profession  and  worship,  without  discrimination 
or  preference,  shall  for  ever  be  allowed  in  this  State ; 
and  no  person  shall  be  rendered  incompetent  to  be  a 
witness  on  account  of  his  opinions  on  matters  of  reli- 
gious belief;  but  the  liberty  of  conscience,  hereby 
secured,  shall  not  be  so  construed  as  to  excuse  acts 
of  licentiousness,  or  justify  practices  inconsistent  with 
the  peace  or  safety  of  this  State. 

SEC.  5.  The  privilege  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus 
shall  not  be  suspended,  unless  when,  in  cases  of  rebel- 
lion or  invasion,  the  public  safety  may  require  ita 
suspension. 

SEC.  6.  Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor 
excessive  fines  imposed,  nor  shall  cruel  or  unusual 
punishments  be  inflicted,  nor  shall  witnesses  be  un- 
reasonably detained. 

SEC.  7.  All  persons  shall  be  bailable,  by  sufficient 
sureties :  unless  for  capital  offences,  when  the  proof  is 
evident  or  the  presumption  great. 

SEC.  8.  No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a 
capital  or  otherwise  infamous  crime  (except  in  cases 
of  impeachment,  and  in  cases  of  militia  when  in  ac- 
tual service,  and  the  land  and  naval  forces  in  time  of 
war,  or  which  this  State  may  keep  with  the  consent 
of  Congress  in  time  of  peace,  and  in  cases  of  petit 
larceny  under  the  regulation  of  the  Legislature,)  un- 
less on  presentment  or  indictment  of  a  grand  jury ; 
and  in  any  trial  in  any  court  whatever,  the  party  ac- 
cused shall  be  allowed  to  appear  -Hid  defend  in  person 
27  R* 


30J-  HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

and  with  counsel,  as  in  civil  actions.  No  person  shall 
'be  subject  to  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  for  the  same 
offence ;  nor  shall  he  bo  compelled,  in  any  criminal 
case,  to  be  a  witness  against  himself,  nor  be  deprived 
of  life,  liberty,  or  property,  without  due  process  of 
law ;  nor  shall  private  property  be  taken  for  public 
use  without  just  compensation. 

SEC.  9.  Every  citizen  may  freely  speak,  write,  and 
publish  his  sentiments  on  all  subjects,  being  respon- 
sible for  the  abuse  of  that  right ;  and  no  law  shall  be 
passed  to  restrain  or  abridge  the  liberty  of  speech  or 
of  the  press.  In  all  criminal  prosecutions  on  indict- 
ments for  libels,  the  truth  may  be  given  in  evidence 
to  the  jury ;  and  if  it  shall  appear  to  the  jury  that 
the  matter  charged  as  libellous  is  true,  and  was  pub- 
lished with  good  motives  and  for  justifiable  ends,  the 
party  shall  be  acquitted :  and  the  jury  shall  have  the 
right  to  determine  the  law  and  the  fact. 

SEC.  10.  The  people  shall  have  the  right  freely  to 
assemble  together,  to  consult  for  the  common  good,  to 
instruct  their  representatives,  and  to  petition  the  legis- 
lature for  redress  of  grievances. 

SEC.  11.  All  laws  of  a  general  nature  shall  have  a 
uniform  operation. 

SEC.  12.  The  military  shall  be  subordinate  •",<>  the 
civil  power.  No  standing  army  shall  be  kept  up  by 
this  State  in  time  of  peace ;  and  in  time  of  war  no 
appropriation  for  a  standing  army  shall  be  for  a 
longer  time  than  two  years. 

SEC.  13.  No  soldier  shall,  in  time  of  peace,  be 
quartered  in  any  house,  without  the  consent  of  the 
owner ;  nor  in  time  of  war,  except  in  the  manner  t7 
be  prescribed  by  law. 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  o0^ 

SKO.  14.  Representation  shall  be  apportioned  ac- 
cording to  population. 

SEC.  15.  No  person  shall  be  imprisoned  for  debt 
in  any  civil  action  on  mesne  or  final  process,  unless 
in  cases  of  fraud ;  and  no  person  shall  be  imprisoned 
for  a  milita  fine  in  time  of  peace. 

SEC.  16.  No  bill  of  attainder,  ex  post  facto  law,  or 
law  impairing  the  obligation  of  contracts,  shall  ever 
be  passed.  ,."• 

SEC.  17.  'Foreigners  who  are,  or  who  may  here- 
after become,  bona  fide  residents  of  this  State,  shall 
enjoy  the  same  rights  in  respect  to  the  possession,  en- 
joyment, and  inheritance  of  property,  as  native  born 
citizens. 

SEC.  18.  Neither  slavery,  nor  involuntary  servi- 
tude, unless  for  the  punishment  of  crimes,  shall  ever 
be  tolerated  in  this  State. 

SEC.  19.  The  right  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in 
their  persons,  houses,  papers  and  effects,  against  un- 
reasonable seizures  and  searches,  shall  not  be  violated ; 
and  no  warrant  shall  issue  but  on  probable  cause, 
supported  by  oath  or  afiirmation,  particularly  describ- 
ing the  place  to  be  searched,  and  the  persons  and 
things  to  be  seized. 

SEC.  20.  Treason  against  the  State  shall  consist 
only  in  levying  war  against  it,  adhering  to  its  enemies, 
or  giving  them  aid  and  comfort.  No  person  shall  be 
convicted  of  treason,  unless  on  the  evidence  of  two 
witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act,  or  confession  in  open 
court. 

SEC.  21.  This  enumeration  of  rights  shall  not  be 
construed  to  impair  or  deny  others  retained  by  the 
people. 


306  HISTOKY   OF   CALIFORNIA 

ARTICLE   II. 

RIGHT     OF    SUFFRAGE. 

SEC.  1.  Every  white  male  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  and  every  white  male  citizen  of  Mexico,  who 
shall  have  elected  to  become  a  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  under  the  treaty  of  peace  exchanged  and  rati- 
fied at  Queretaro,  on  the  30th  day  of  May,  1848,  of 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  who  shall  have  been  a 
resident  of  the  State  six  months  next  preceding  the 
election,  and  the  county  or  district  in  which  he  claima 
his  vote  thirty  days,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  at  all 
elections  which  are  now  or  hereafter  may  be  autho- 
rized by  law :  Provided,  that  nothing  herein  contained 
shall  be  construed  to  prevent  the  Legislature,  by  a 
two-thirds  concurrent  vote,  from  admitting  to  the 
right  of  suffrage,  Indians  or  the  descendants  of  Indians, 
in  such  special  cases  as  such  a  proportion  of  the  legis- 
lative body  may  deem  just  and  proper. 

SEC.  2.  Electors  shall,  on  all  cases  except  treason, 
felony,  or  breach  of  the  peace,  be  privileged  from  arrest 
on  the  days  of  the  election,  during  their  attendance  at 
such  election,  going  to  and  returning  therefrom. 

SEC.  3.  No  elector  shall  be  obliged  to  perform  militia 
duty  on  the  day  of  election,  except  in  time  of  war  ov 
public  danger. 

SEC.  4.  For  the  purpose  of  voting,  no  person  shall 
be  deemed  to  have  gained  or  lost  a  residence  by  rea- 
son of  his  presence  or  absence  while  employed  in  tho 
service  of  the  United  States ;  nor  while  engaged  in 
the  navigation  of  the  waters  of  this  State,  or  of  the 
United  States,  or  of  the  high  seas ;  nor  while  a  student 
of  any  seminary  of  learning  t  nor  while  kept  at  any 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  307 

almshouse,  or  other  asylum,  at  public  expense;  nor 
while  confined  in  any  public  prison. 

SEC.  5.  No  idiot  or  insane  person,  or  person  con- 
victed of  any  infamous  crime,  shall  be  entitled  to  the 
privileges  of  an  elector. 

SEC.  6.  All  elections  by  the  people  shall  be  by 
ballot. 

ARTICLE    III. 

DISTRIBUTION     OF     POWERS. 

The  powers  of  the  government  of  the  State  of  Cali- 
fornia shall  be  divided  into  three  separate  depart- 
ments :  the  Legislature,  the  Executive,  and  Judicial ; 
and  no  person  charged  with  the  exercise  of  powers 
properly  belonging  to  one  of  these  departments,  shall 
exercise  any  functions  appertaining  to  either  of  the 
others;  except  in  the  cases  hereinafter  expressly 
directed  or  permitted. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

LEGISLATIVE  DEPARTMENT. 

SEC.  1.  The  legislative  power  of  this  State  shall 
be  vested  in  a  Senate  and  Assembly,  which  shall  be 
designated  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  California, 
and  the  enacting  clause  of  every  law  shall  be  as  fol- 
lows :  "  The  people  of  the  State  of  California,  repre- 
sented in  Senate  and  Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows." 

SEC.  2.  The  sessions  of  the  Legislature  shall  be 
annual,  and  shall  commence  on  the  first  Monday  of 
January,  next  ensuing  the  election  of  its  members ; 
unless  the  Governor  of  the  State  shall,  in  tho  interim, 
convene  the  Legislature  by  proclamation. 

SEC.  3.  The  members  of  the  Assembly  shall  be 


308  HISTORY   OP   CALIFOKJS'IA. 

chosen  annually,  by  the  qualified  electors  of  theil 
respective  districts,  on  the  Tuesday  next  after  the 
first  Monday  in  November,  unless  otherwise  ordered 
by  the  Legislature,  and  their  term  of  office  shall  be 
one  year. 

SEC.  4.  Senators  and  Members  of  Assembly  shall 
be  duly  qualified  electors  in  the  respective  counties 
and  districts  which  they  represent. 

SEC.  5.  Senators  shall  be  chosen  for  the  term  of 
two  years,  at  the  same  time  and  places  as  Members 
of  Assembly ;  and  no  person  shall  be%a  Member  of  the 
Senate  or  Assembly,  who  has  not  been  a  citizen  and 
inhabitant  of  the  State  one  year,  and  of  the  country 
or  district  for  which  he  shall  be  chosen  six  months 
next  before  his  election. 

SEC.  6.  The  number  of  Senators  shall  not  be  less 
than  one  third,  nor  more  than  one  half,  of  that  of  the 
Members  of  Assembly ;  and  at  the  first  session  of  the 
Legislature  after  this  Constitution  takes  effect,  the 
Senators  shall  be  divided  by  lot  as  equally  as  may  be, 
into  two  classes ;  the  seats  of  the  Senators  of  the  first 
class  shall  be  vacated  at  the  expiration  of  the  first 
year,  so  that  one  half  shall  be  chosen  annually. 

Sec.  7.  When  the  number  of  Senators  is  increased, 
they  shall  be  apportioned  by  lot,  so  as  to  keep  the 
two  classes  as  nearly  equal  in  number  as  possible. 

Sec.  8.  Each  house  shall  choose  its  own  officers,  and 
judge  of  the  qualifications,  elections,  and  returns  of 
its  own  members. 

SEC.  9.  A  majority  of  each  house  shall  constitute  a 
quorum  to  do  business ;  but  a  smaller  number  may 
adjourn  from  day  to  day,  and  may  compel  the  attend 
ance  of  absent  members,  in  such  manner,  and  under 
•uch  penalties  as  each  house  may  provide. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  3Q9 

SEC.  10.  Each  house  shall  determine  the  rules  of 
its  own  proceedings,  and  may  with  the  concurrence' 
of  two-thirds   of  all  the   members  elected,   expel  a 
member. 

SEC.  11.  Each  house  shall  keep  a  journal  of  its  own 
proceedings,  and  publish  the  same ;  and  the  yeas  and 
nays  of  the  members  of  either  house,  on  any  question, 
shall,  at  the  desire  of  any  three  members  present,  be 
entered  on  the  journal. 

SEC.  12.  Members  of  the  Legislature  shall,  in  all 
cases  except  treason,  felony,  and  breach  of  the  peace, 
be  privileged  from  arrest,  and  they  shall  not  be  subject 
to  any  civil  process  during  the  session  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, nor  for  fifteen  days  next  before  the  commence- 
ment and  after  the  termination  of  each  session. 

SEC.  13.  When  vacancies  occur  in  either  house,  the 
Governor,  or  the  person  exercising  the  functions  of 
the  Governor,  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  fill  such 
vacancies. 

SEC.  14.  The  doors  of  each  house  shall  be  open, 
except  on  such  occasions  as  in  the  opinion  of  the  house 
may  require  secrecy. 

SEC.  15.  Neither  house  shall,  without  the  consent 
of  the  other,  adjourn  for  more  than  three  days,  nor  to 
any  other  place  than  that  in  which  they  may  be  sitting. 

SEC.  16.  Any  bill  may  originate  in  either  house  of 
the  Legislature,  and  all  bills  passed  by  one  house  may 
be  amended  in  the  other. 

SEC.  IT.  Every  bill  which  may  have  passed  the 
Legislature,  shall,  before  it  becomes  a  law,  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Governor.  If  he  approve  it,  he  shall 
sign  it ;  but  if  not,  he  shall  return  it,  with  his  objec- 
tions, to  the  house  in  which  it  originated,  which  shall 
enter  the  same  upon  the  journal,  and  proceed  to  re- 
22  - 


310  HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

consider  it.  If,  after  such  reconsideration,  it  again 
pass  both  houses,  by  yeas  and  nays,  by  a  majority  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  of  each  house  present,  it 
shall  become  a  law,  notwithstanding  the  Governor's 
objections.  If  any  bill  shall  not  be  returned  within 
ten  days  after  it  shall  have  been  presented  to  him 
(Sunday  excepted,)  the  same  shall  be  a  law,  in  like 
manner  as  if  he  had  signed  it,  unless  the  Legislature, 
by  adjournment,  prevent  such  return. 

SEC.  18.  The  Assembly  shall  have  the  sole  power 
of  impeachment ;  and  all  impeachments  shall  be  tried 
by  the  Senate.  When  sitting  for  that  purpose,  the 
Senators  shall  be  upon  oath  or  affirmation ;  and  no 
person  shall  be  convicted  without  the  concurrence  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

SEC.  19.  The  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Se 
cretary  of  State,  Comptroller,  Treasurer,  Attorney 
General,  Survey  or- General,  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  and  Judges  of  the  District  Courts,  shall  be 
liable  to  impeachment  for  any  misdemeanor  in  office  ; 
but  judgment  in  such  cases  shall  extend  only  to  re- 
moval from  office,  and  disqualification  to  hold  any  office 
of  honor,  trust  or  profit,  under  the  State ;  but  the 
party  convicted,  or  acquitted,  shall  nevertheless  be 
liable  to  indictment,  trial  and  punishment,  according 
to  law.  All  other  civil  officers  shall  be  tried  for  mis- 
demeanors in  office,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature 
may  provide. 

SEC.  20.  No  Senator  or  member  of  Assembly  shall, 
during  the  term  for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected, 
be  appointed  to  any  civil  office  of  profit,  under  this 
State,  which  shall  have  been  created,  or  the  emolu- 
ments of  which  shall  have  been  increased,  during  such 


CK088IMQ    THE    ISTHMUS. 


BIBTOBY  OP  CALIFORNIA.  811 

term,  except  such  office  as  may  be  filled  by  election! 
by  the  people. 

SBC.  21.  No  person  holding  any  lucrative  office 
under  the  United  States,  or  any  other  power,  shall  be 
eligible  to  any  civil  office  of  profit,  under  this  State ; 
provided,  that  officers  in  the  militia,  to  which  there  is 
attached  no  annual  salary,  or  local  officers  and  post- 
masters whose  compensation  does  not  exceed  five 
hundred  dollars  per  annum,  shall  not  be  deemed  lucra- 
tive. 

SEC.  22.  No  person  who  shall  be  convicted  of  the 
embezzlement  or  defalcation  of  the  public  funds  of  this 
State,  shall  ever  be  eligible  to  any  office  of  honor, 
trust,  or  profit,  under  the  State  ;  and  the  Legislature 
shall,  as  soon  as  practicable,  pass  a  law  providing  for 
the  punishment  of  such  embezzlement,  or  defalcation, 
as  a  felony. 

SEC.  23.  No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  Trea- 
sury but  in  consequence  of  appropriations  made  by 
law.  An  accurate  statement  of  the  receipts  and  ex- 
penditures of  the  public  moneys  shall  be  attached  to. 
and  published  with,  the  laws,  at  every  regular  session 
of  the  Legislature. 

SEC.  24.  The  members  of  the  Legislature  shall 
receive  for  their  services,  a  compensation  to  be  fixed 
by  law,  and  paid  out  of  the  public  treasury ;  but  no 
increase  of  the  compensation  shall  take  effect  during 
the  term  for  which  the  members  of  either  house  phall 
have  been  elected. 

SEC.  25.  Every  law  enacted  by  the  Legislature, 
shall  embrace  but  one  object,  and  that  shall  be  ex- 
pressed in  the  title ;  and  no  law  shall  be  revised,  or 
amended,  by  reference  to  its  title ;  but  in  such  case, 


312  HISTOBT  OF  CALIFOKIHA. 

the  art  revised,  or  section  amended,  shall  be  re- 
enacted  and  published  at  length. 

SEC.  26.  No  divorce  shall  be  granted  by  the  Legis- 
lature. 

SEC.  27.  No  lottery  shall  be  authorized  by  thia 
State,  nor  shall  the  sale  of  lottery  tickets  be  allowed. 

SEC.  28.  The  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of  thia 
State  shall  be  taken,  under  the  direction  of  the  Legis- 
lature, in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
fifty-two,  and  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty- 
five,  and  at  the  end  of  every  ten  years  thereafter  ; 
and  these  enumerations,  together  with  the  census  that 
may  be  taken,  under  the  direction  of  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  fifty,  and  every  subsequent  ten  years, 
shall  perve  as  the  basis  of  representation  in  both 
houses  of  the  Legislature. 

SEC.  29.  The  number  of  Senators  and  Members  of 
Assembly,  shall,  at  the  first  session  of  the  Legislature, 
holden  after  the  enumeration  herein  provided  for  are 
made,  be  fixed  by  the  Legislature,  and  apportioned 
among  the  several  counties  and  districts  to  be  esta- 
blished by  law,  according  to  the  number  of  white  in- 
habitants. The  number  of  Members  of  Assembly 
shall  not  be  less  than  twenty-four,  nor  more  than 
thirty-six,  until  the  number  of  inhabitants  within  this 
State  shall  amount  to  one  hundred  thousand:  and 
after  that  period,  at  such  ratio  that  the  whole  number 
of  Members  of  Assembly  shall  never  be  less  than  thirty, 
nor  more  than  eighty. 

SEC.  30.  When  a  congressional,  senatorial,  or 
assembly  district,  shall  be  composed  of  two  or  more 
counties,  it  shall  not  be  separated  by  any  county  bo- 
longing  to  another  district ;  and  no  county  shall  t> 


BISTORT    OP  CALIFORNIA.  31 J) 

divided,  in  forming  a  congressional,  senatorial,  or 
assembly  district. 

SEC.  31.  Corporations  may  be  formed  under  gene- 
ral laws,  but  shall  not  be  created  by  special  act,  ex- 
cept for  municipal  purposes.  All  general  laws  and 
special  acts  passed  pursuant  to  this  section  may  be 
altered  from  time  to  time,  or  repealed. 

SEC.  32.  Dues  from  corporations  shall  be  secured 
by  such  individual  liability  of  the  corporators,  and 
other  means,  as  may  be  prescribed  by  law. 

SEC.  33.  The  term  corporations,  as  used  in  thifl 
article,  shall  be  construed  to  include  all  associations 
and  joint-stock  companies,  having  any  of  the  powers 
or  privileges  of  corporations  not  possessed  by  indivi- 
duals or  partnerships.  And  all  corporations  shall 
have  the  right  to  sue,  and  shall  be  subject  to  be  sued, 
in  all  courts,  in  like  cases  as  natural  persons. 

SEC.  34.  The  Legislature  shall  have  no  power  to 
to  pass  any  act  granting  any  charter  for  banking  pur- 
poses ;  but  associations  may  be  formed  under  general 
laws,  for  the  deposit  of  gold  and  silver ;  but  no  such 
association  shall  make,  issue,  or  put  in  circulation, 
any  bill,  check,  tickets,  certificate,  promissory  note, 
or  other  paper,  or  the  paper  of  any  bank,  to  circulate 
as  money. 

SEC.  35.  The  Legislature  of  this  State  shall  pro- 
hibit, by  law,  any  person  or  persons,  association,  com- 
pany, or  corporation,  from  exercising  the  privileges 
of  banking,  or  creating  paper  to  circulate  as  money. 

SEC.  36.  Each  stockholder  of  a  corporation,  or 
joint-stock  association,  shall  be  individually  and  per- 
sonally liable  for  his  proportion  of  all  its  debts  and 
liabilities. 

SBC.  37.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  to 


314  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

provide  for  the  organization  of  cities  and  incorporated 
villages,  and  to  restrict  their  power  of  taxation,  aa- 
Bessment,  borrowing  money,  contracting  debts,  and 
loaning  their  credit,  so  as  to  prevent  abuses  in  assess- 
ments, and  in  contracting  debts,  by  such  municipal 
corporations. 

SEC.  38.  In  all  elections  by  the  Legislature,  the 
members  thereof  shall  vote  viva  voce,  and  the  vote* 
shall  be  entered  on  the  journal. 

ARTICLE   V. 

EXECUTIVE     DEPARTMENT. 

SEC.  1.  The  supreme  executive  power  of  this  State 
shall  be  vested  in  a  chief  magistrate,  who  shall  be 
styled  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  California. 

SEC.  2.  The  Governor  shall  be  elected  by  the 
qualified  electors,  at  the  time  and  places  of  voting  for 
Members  of  Assembly,  and  shall  hold  his  office  two 
years  from  the  time  of  his  installation,  and  until  his 
successor  shall  be  qualified. 

SEC.  3.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of 
Governor  (except  at  the  first  election)  who  has  not 
been  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  and  a  resident  of 
this  State  two  years  next  preceding  the  election,  and 
attained  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  at  the  time  of 
said  election. 

SEC.  4.  The  returns  of  every  election  for  Governor 
shall  be  sealed  up  and  transmitted  to  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment, directed  to  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly, 
who  shall,  during  the  first  week  of  the  session,  open 
and  publish  them  in  presence  of  both  houses  of  the 
Legislature.  The  person  having  the  highest  number 
of  votes  shall  be  Governor ;  but  in  case  any  two  or 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  SI  5 

more  have  an  equal  and  the  highest  number  of  votes, 
the  Legislature  shad  by  joint-vote  of  both  houses, 
choose  one  01  said  persons,  so  having  an  equal  and 
the  highest  number  of  votes,  for  Governor. 

SEC.  5.  The  Governor  shall  be  commander-in-chief 
ef  the  militia,  the  army,  and  navy  of  this  State. 

SEC.  6.  He  shall  transact  all  executive  business 
with  the  officers  of  government,  civil  and  military, 
and  may  require  information  in  writing  from  the 
officers  of  the  executive  department,  upon  any  subject 
relating  to  the  duties  of  the  respective  offices. 

SEC.  7.  He  shall  see  that  the  laws  are  faithfully- 
executed. 

SEC.  8.  When  any  office  shall,  from  any  cause,  be- 
come vacant,  and  no  mode  is  provided  by  the  constitu- 
tion and  laws  for  filling  such  vacancy,  the  Governor 
shall  have  power  to  fill  such  vacancy  by  granting  a 
commission,  which  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  the  next 
session  of  the  Legislature,  or  at  the  next  election  by 
the  people. 

SEC.  9.  He  may,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  con- 
vene the  Legislature  by  proclamation,  and  shall  state 
to  both  houses,  when  assembled,  the  purpose  for  which 
they  shall  have  been  convened. 

SEC.  10.  He  shall  communicate  by  message  to  the 
Legislature,  at  every  session,  the  condition  of  the 
State,  and  recommend  such  matters  as  he  shall  deem 
expedient. 

SEC.  11.  in  case  of  a  disagreement  between  the 
two  houses,  with  respect  to  the  time  of  adjournment, 
the  Governor  shall  have  power  to  adjourn  the  Legis- 
lature to  such  time  as  he  may  think  proper ;  Provided 
it  be  not  beyond  the  time  fixed  for  the  meeting  of  the 
next  Legislature 


316  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

SEC.  12.  No  person  shall,  while  holding  any  office 
under  the  United  States,  or  this  State,  exercise  the 
office  of  Governor,  except  as  hereinafter  expressly 
provided. 

SEC.  13.  The  Governor  shall  have  the  power  to 
grant  reprieves  and  pardons  after  conviction,  for  all 
offences  except  treason,  and  cases  of  impeachment, 
upon  such  conditions,  and  with  such  restrictions  and 
limitations,  as  he  may  think  proper,  subject  to  such 
regulations  as  may  be  provided  by  law  relative  to  the 
manner  of  applying  for  pardons.  Upon  conviction 
for  treason  he  shall  have  the  power  to  suspend  the 
execution  of  the  sentence  until  the  case  shall  be  re- 
ported to  the  Legislature  at  its  next  meeting,  when 
the  Legislature  shall  either  pardon,  direct  the  execu- 
tion of  the  sentence,  or  grant  a  further  reprieve.  He 
shall  communicate  to  the  Legislature,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  every  session,  every  case  of  reprieve,  or  par- 
don granted,  stating  the  name  of  the  convict,  the 
crime  of  which  he  vras  convicted,  the  sentence  and  its 
date,  and  the  date  of  the  pardon  or  reprieve. 

SEC.  14.  There  shall  be  a  seal  of  this  State,  which 
shall  be  kept  by  the  Governor,  and  used  by  him 
officially,  and  it  shall  be  called  "  The  Great  Seal  of 
the  State  of  California." 

SEC.  15.  All  grants  and  commissions  shall  be  Li 
the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  people  of  the 
State  of  California,  sealed  with  the  great  seal  of  the 
State,  signed  by  the  Governor,  and  countersigned  by 
the  Secretary  of  State. 

SEC.  16.  A  Lieutenant-Governor  shall  be  elected 
at  the  same  time  and  place,  and  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  Governor ;  and  his  term  of  office,  and  his  qua- 
lifications, shall  also  be  the  same.  He  shall  be  Pro 


HISTORY  OP  CALIFORNIA.  3^7 

•ident  of  the  Senate,  but  shall  only  have  a  casting 
vote  therein.  If,  during  a  vacancy  of  the  office  of 
Governor,  the  Lieutenant-Governor  shall  be  im- 
peached, displaced,  resign,  die,  or  become  incapable 
of  performing  the  duties  of  his  office,  or  be  absent 
from  the  State,  the  President  of  the  Senate  shall  act 
as  Governor,  until  the  vacancy  be  filled,  or  the  dis- 
ability shall  cease. 

SEC.  17.  In  case  of  the  impeachment  of  the  Go- 
vernor, or  his  removal  from  office,  death,  inability  tc 
discharge  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  said  office, 
resignation  or  absence  from  the  State,  the  powers  and 
duties  of  the  office  shall  devolve  upon  the  Lieutenant- 
Governor  for  the  residue  of  the  term,  or  until  the 
disability  shall  cease.  But  when  the  Governor  shall, 
with  the  consent  of  the  Legislature,  be  out  of  the 
State  in  time  of  war,  at  the  head  of  any  military  force 
thereof,  he  shall  continue  commander-in-chief  of  all 
the  military  forces  of  the  State. 

SEC.  18.  A  Secretary  of  State,  a  Comptroller,  a 
Treasurer,  an  Attorney- General  and  Surveyor-Gene- 
ral, shall  be  chosen  in  the  manner  provided  in  this 
Constitution ;  and  the  term  of  office,  and  eligibility 
of  each,  shall  be  the  same  as  are  prescribed  for  the 
Governor  and  Lieutenant-Governor. 

SEC.  19.  The  Secretary  of  State  shall  be  appointed 
by  the  Governor,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent 
of  the  Senate.  He  shall  keep  a  fair  record  of 
the  official  acts  of  the  Legislature  and  Executive 
Departments  of  the  Government;  and  shall,  when 
required,  lay  the  same,  and  all  matters  relative  there- 
to, before  either  branch  of  the  Legislature:  and 
shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  shall  be  assigned 
him  by  law. 


318  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

SEC.  20.  The  Comptroller,  Treasurer,  Attorney- 
General  and  Surveyor- General,  shall  be  chosen  bj 
joint  vote  of  the  two  Houses  of  the  Legislature,  at 
their  first  session  under  this  Constitution,  and  there- 
after shall  be  elected  at  the  same  time  and  places, 
and  in  the  same  manner,  as  the  Governor  and  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor. 

SEC.  21.  The  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Se- 
cretary of  State,  Comptroller,  Treasurer,  Attorney- 
General,  and  Surveyor-General,  shall  each  at  stated 
times  during  their  continuance  in  office,  receive  for 
their  services  a  compensation,  which  shall  not  be  in- 
creased or  diminished  during  the  term  for  which  they 
shall  have  been  elected ;  but  neither  of  these  officers 
shall  receive  for  his  own  use  any  fees  for  the  perform- 
ance of  his  official  duties. 


ARTICLE    VI. 

JUDICIAL    DEPABTMENT, 

SEC.  1.  The  judicial  power  of  this  State  shall  be 
vested  in  a  Supreme  Court,  in  District  Courts,  in 
County  Courts,  and  in  Justices  of  the  Peace.  The 
Legislature  may  also  establish  such  municipal  and 
other  inferior  courts  as  may  be  deemed  necessary. 

SEC.  2.  The  Supreme  Court  shall  consist  of  a 
Chief  Justice,  and  two  Associate  Justices,  any  two  of 
whom  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

SEC.  3.  The  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  shall 
be  elected  at  the  general  election,  by  the  qualified 
electors  of  the  State,  and  shall  hold  their  office  for 
the  term  of  six  years  from  the  first  day  of  January 
uext  after  their  election ;  provded  that  the  Legisla- 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  319 

tore  shall,  at  its  first  meeting,  elect  a  Chief  Justice 
and  two  Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  by 
joint  vote  of  both  houses,  and  so  classify  them  that 
one  shall  go  out  of  office  every  two  years.  After  the 
first  election,  the  senior  Justice  in  commission  shall 
be  the  Chief  Justice. 

SEC.  4.  The  Supreme  Court  shall  have  appellate 
jurisdiction  in  all  cases  when  the  matter  in  dispute 
exceeds  two  hundred  dollars,  when  the  legality  of 
any  tax,  toll,  or  impost,  or  municipal  fine  is  in  ques- 
tion :  and  in  all  criminal  cases  amounting  to  felony, 
or  questions  of  law  alone.  And  the  said  court  and 
each  of  the  Justices  thereof,  as  well  as  all  district  and 
county  judges,  shall  have  power  to  issue  writs  of  ha 
beas  corpus,  at  the  instance  of  any  person  held  in 
actual  custody.  They  shall  also  have  power  to  issue 
all  other  writs  and  process  necessary  to  the  exercise 
of  the  appellate  jurisdiction,  and  shall  be  conserva- 
tors of  the  peace  throughout  the  State. 

SEC.  5.  The  State  shall  be  divided  by  the  first 
Legislature  into  a  convenient  number  of  districts, 
subject  to  such  alteration  from  time  to  time  as  the 
public  good  may  require  ;  for  each  of  which  a  district 
judge  shall  be  appointed  by  the  joint  vote  of  the 
legislature,  at  its  first  meeting,  who  shall  hold  his 
office  for  two  years  from  the  first  day  of  January 
next  after  his  election;  after  which,  said  judges  shall 
be  elected  by  the  qualified  electors  of  their  respective 
districts,  at  the  general  election,  and  shall  hold  their 
office  for  the  term  of  six  years. 

SEC.  6.  The  District   Courts  shall   have   original 
jurisdiction,  in  law  and  equity,  in  all  civil  cases  where 
the  amount  in  dispute  exceeds  two  hundred  dollars, 
exclusive  of  interest.    In  all  criminal  cases  not  other 
S  28 


320  HISTORY   OK   CALIFORNIA. 

wise  provided  for,  and  in  all  issues   of  fact  joined  it 
the  probate  courts,  their  jurisdiction  shall  be  unlimited. 

SEC.  7.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  for  the  elec- 
tion, by  the  people,  of  a  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
and  County  Clerks,  District  Attorneys,  Sheriffs,  Coro- 
ners, and  other  necessary  officers ;  and  shall  fix  by 
law  their  duties  and  compensation.  County  Clerks 
shall  be,  ex-officio,  Clerks  of  the  District  Courts  in 
and  for  their  respective  counties. 

SEC.  8.  There  shall  be  elected  in  each  of  the  or- 
ganized counties  of  this  State,  one  County  Judge 
who  shall  hold  his  office  for  four  years.  He  shall 
hold  the  County  Court,  and  perform  the  duties  of 
Surrogate,  or  Probate  Judge.  The  County  Judge, 
with  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  to  be  designated  ac- 
cording to  law,  shall  hold  courts  of  sessions,  with 
such  criminal  jurisdiction  as  the  Legislature  shall  pre- 
scribe, and  he  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  shall 
be  required  bylaw. 

SEC.  9.  The  County  Courts  shall  have  such  j/ris- 
diction,  in  cases  arising  in  Justices  Courts,  and  in  spe- 
cial cases,  as  the  Legislature  may  prescribe,  but  shall 
have  no  original  civil  jurisdiction,  except  in  such  spe- 
cial cases. 

SEC.  10.  The  times  and  places  of  holding  the 
terms  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  the  general  and  spe- 
cial terms  of  the  District  Courts  within  the  several 
districts,  shall  be  provided  for  by  law. 

SEC.  11.  No  judicial  officer,  except  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  shall  receive  to  his  own  use,  any  fees,  or  per 
quisices  of  office. 

SEC.  12.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  for  the 
speedy  publication  of  all  statute  laws,  and  of  such 
judicial  decisions  as  it  may  deem  expedient ;  and  ait 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  321 

laws  and  judicial  decisions  shall  be  free  for  publica- 
tion by  any  person. 

SEC.  13.  Tribunals  for  conciliation  may  be  esta- 
blished, with  such  powers  and  duties  as  may  be  pre- 
scribed by  law;  but  such  tribunals  shall  have  no 
power  to  render  judgment  to  be  obligatory  on  the 
parties,  except  they  voluntarily  submit  their  matters 
in  difference,  and  agree  to  abide  the  judgment,  or 
assent  thereto  in  the  presence  of  such  tribunal,  in 
such  cases  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

SEC.  14.  The  Legislature  shall  determine  the  num- 
ber of  Justices  of  the  Peace,  to  be  elected  in  each 
county,  city,  town,  and  incorporated  village  of  the 
State,  and  fix  by  law  their  powers,  duties,  and  respon  • 
sibilities.  It  shall  also  determine  in  what  cases 
appeals  may  be  made  from  Justices'  Courts  to  the 
County  Court. 

SEC.  15.  The  .7  rices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and 
Judges  of  the  District  Court,  shall  severally,  at  stated 
times  during  their  continuance  in  office,  receive  for 
their  services  a  compensation,  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
treasury,  which  shall  not  be  increased  or  diminished 
during  the  term  for  which  they  shall  have  been  elected. 
The  County  Judges  shall  also  severally,  at  stated 
times,  receive  for  their  services  a  compensation  to  be 
paid  out  of  the  county  treasury  of  their  respective 
counties,  which  shall  not  be  increased  or  diminished 
during  the  term  for  which  they  shall  have  been  elected. 

SEC.  16.  The  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  and 
District  Judges  shall  be  ineligible  to  any  other  office, 
during  the  term  for  which  they  shall  have  been  elected. 

SEC.  17.  Judges  shall  not  charge  juries  with  respect 
to  matters  of  fact,  but  may  state  the  testimony  and 
declare  the  law. 


322  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

SEC.  18.  The  style  of  all  process  shall  be  "  The 
People  of  the  State  of  California ;"  all  the  prosecu- 
tions shall  be  conducted  in  the  name  and  by  the  autho- 
rity of  the  same. 

ARTICLE    VII. 

MILITIA. 

SBC.  1.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  by  law,  for 
organizing  and  disciplining  the  militia,  in  such  manner 
as  they  shall  deem  expedient,  not  incompatible  with 
the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States. 

SEC.  2.  Officers  of  the  militia  shall  be  elected,  or 
appointed,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  shall 
from  time  to  time  direct ;  and  shall  be  commissioned 
by  the  Governor. 

SEC.  3.  The  Governor  shall  have  power  to  call  forth 
the  militia,  to  execute  the  laws  of  the  State,  to  sup- 
press insurrections,  and  repel  invasions. 

ARTICLE    VIII 

STATE     DEBTS. 

The  Legislature  shall  not  in  any  manner  create  any 
debt  or  debts,  liability  or  liabilities,  which  shall  singly, 
or  in  the  aggregate,  with  any  previous  debts  or  liabili' 
ties  exceed  the  sum  of  three  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
except  in  case  of  war,  to  repel  invasion,  or  suppress 
insurrection,  unless  the  same  shall  be  authorized  by 
some  law  for  some  single  object  or  work,  to  be  distinctly 
specified  therein,  which  law  shall  provide  ways  and 
means,  exclusive  of  loans,  for  the  payment  of  the 
interest  of  such  debt  01  liability,  as  it  falls  due,  and 
also  pay  and  discharge  the  principal  of  such  debt  or 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  323 

liability  within  twenty  years  from  the  time  of  th« 
contracting  thereof,  and  shall  be  irrepealable  until  the 
principal  and  interest  thereon  shall  be  paid  and  dis- 
charged ;  but  no  such  law  shall  take  effect  until,  at  a 
general  election,  it  shall  have  been  submitted  to  the 
people,  and  have  received  a  majority  of  all  the  votes 
cast  for  and  against  it  at  such  election ;  and  all  money 
raised  by  authority  of  such  law  shall  be  applied  only 
to  the  specific  object  therein  stated,  or  to  the  payment 
of  the  debt  thereby  created ;  and  such  law  shall  be 
published  in  at  least  one  newspaper  in  each  judicial 
district,  if  one  be  published  therein,  throughout  the 
State,  for  three  months  next  preceding  the  election  at 
which  it  is  submitted  to  the  people. 

ARTICLE    IX. 

EDUCATION. 

SEC.  1.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  for  the  elec- 
tion, by  the  people,  of  a  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction,  who  shall  hold  his  office  for  three  years, 
and  whose  duties  shall  be  prescribed  by  law,  and  who 
shall  receive  such  compensation  as  the  Legislature  may 
direct. 

SEC.  2.  The  Legislature  shall  encourage,  by  all  suit- 
able means,  the  promotion  of  intellectual,  scientific, 
moral  and  agricultural  improvement.  The  proceeds 
of  all  lands  that  may  be  granted  by  the  United  States 
to  this  State  for  the  support  of  schools,  which  may  be 
sold  or  disposed  of,  and  the  five  hundred  thousand 
acres  of  land  granted  to  the  new  States,  under  an  act 
of  Congress  distributing  the  proceeds^of  the  public 
lands  among  the  several  States  of  the  Union,  approved 
A.  D  1 841  ;  and  all  estates  of  deceased  persons  who 


324  HISTORY   OF   CALTFORXIA. 

may  have  died  without  leaving  a  will,  or  heir,  and 
also  such  per  cent,  as  may  be  granted  by  Congress  on 
the  sale  of  lands  in  this  State,  shall  be  and  remain  a 
perpetual  fund,  the  interest  of  which,  together  with 
all  the  rents  of  the  unsold  lands,  and  such  other  means 
as  the  Legislature  may  provide,  shall  be  inviolably 
appropriated  to  the  support  of  Common  Schools 
throughout  the  State. 

SEC.  3.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  for  a  system 
of  Common  Schools,  by  which  a  school  shall  be  kept 
up  and  supported  in  each  district  at  least  three  months 
in  every  year :  and  any  school  district  neglecting  to 
keep  up  and  support  such  a  school,  may  be  deprived 
of  its  proportion  of  the  interest  of  the  public  fund 
during  such  neglect. 

SEC.  4.  The  Legislature  shall  take  measures  for  the 
protection,  improvement,  or  other  disposition  of  such 
lands  as  have  been,  or  may  hereafter  be,  reserved  or 
granted  by  the  United  States,  or  any  person  or  per- 
sons to  this  State  for  the  use  of  a  University  ;  and  the 
funds  accruing  from  the  rents  or  sale  of  such  lands,  or 
from  any  other  source,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  shall 
be  and  remain  a  permanent  fund,  the  interest  of  which 
shall  be  applied  to  the  support  of  said  university,  with 
such  branches  as  the  public  convenience  may  demand 
for  the  promotion  of  literature,  the  arts  and  sciences, 
as  may  be  authorized  by  the  terms  of  such  grant. 
And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislature,  as  soon  as 
may  be,  to  provide  effectual  means  for  the  improve- 
ment and  permanent  security  of  the  funds  of  said 
University. 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  825 

ARTICLE    X. 

MODE    OF    AMENDING    AND    REVISING    THE 
CONSTITUTION. 

SEC.  1.  Any  amendment  or  amendments  to  thia 
Constitution  maybe  proposed  in  the  Senate  or  Assem- 
bly ;  and  if  the  same  shall  be  agreed  to  by  a  majority 
of  the  members  elected  to  each  of  the  two  houses,  such 
proposed  amendment  or  amendments  shall  be  entered 
on  their  journals,  with  the  yeas  and  nays  taken  thereon, 
and  referred  to  the  Legislature  then  next  to  be  chosen, 
and  shall  be  published  for  three  months  next  preced- 
ing the  time  of  making  such  choice.  And  if,  in  the 
Legislature  next  chosen,  as  aforesaid,  such  proposed 
amendment  or  amendments  shall  be  agreed  to  by  a 
majority  of  all  the  members  elected  to  each  house,  then 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  to  submit  such 
proposed  amendment  or  amendments  to  the  people,  in 
such  manner,  and  at  such  time,  as  the  Legislature  shall 
prescribe ;  and  if  the  people  shall  approve  and  ratify 
such  amendment  or  amendments,  by  a  majority  of  the 
electors  qualified  to  vote  for  members  of  the  Legisla- 
ture voting  thereon,  such  amendment  or  amendments 
shall  become  part  of  the  Constitution. 

SEC.  2.  And  if,  at  any  time,  two-thirds  of  the  Senate 
and  Assembly  shall  think  it  necessary  to  revise  and 
change  this  entire  Constitution,  they  shall  recommend 
to  the  electors,  at  the  next  election  for  members  of  the 
Legislature,  to  vote  for  or  against  the  convention ; 
and  if  it  shall  appear  that  a  majority  of  the  electors 
voting  at  such  election  have  voted  in  favor  of  calling 
a  convention,  the  Legislature  shall,  at  its  next  session, 
provide  by  law  for  calling  a  convention,  to  be  holden 
23 


326  HISTORY  OP   CALIFORNIA. 

within  six  months  after  the  passage  of  such  law  ;  and 
such  convention  shall  consist  of  a  number  of  members 
not  less  than  that  of  both  branches  of  the  Legislature. 

ARTICLE   XL 

MISCELLANEOUS    PROVISIONS. 

SEC.  1.  The  first  session  of  the  Legislature  shall  be 
held  at  the  Pueblo  de  San  Jose,  which  place  shall  be 
the  permanent  seat  of  government,  until  removed  by 
law ;  provided,  however,  that  two-thirds  of  all  the 
members  elected  to  each  house  of  the  Legislature 
shall  concur  in  the  passage  of  such  law. 

SEC.  2.  Any  citizen  of  this-  State  who  shall,  after 
the  adoption  of  this  Constitution,  fight  a  duel  with 
deadly  weapons,  or  send  or  accept  a  challenge  to  fight 
a  duel  with  deadly  weapons,  either  within  the  State 
or  out  of  it ;  or  who  shall  act  as  second,  or  knowingly 
aid  or  assist  in  any  manner  those  thus  offending,  shall 
not  be  allowed  to  hold  any  office  of  profit,  or  to  enjoy 
the  right  of  suffrage  under  this  Constitution. 

SEC.  3.  Members  of  the  Legislature,  and  all  officers, 
executive,  and  judicial,  except  such  inferior  officers  as 
may  be  by  law  exempted,  shall,  before  they  enter  on 
the  duties  of  their  respective  offices,  take  and  sub- 
scribe the  following  oath  or  affirmation. 

"  I  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm,  as  the  case  may 
be,)  that  I  will  support  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of 
California:  and  that  I  will  faithfully  discharge  the 

duties  of  the  office  of ,  according  to  the  best 

of  my  ability."  And  no  other  oath,  declaration,  or 
test,  shall  be  required  as  a  qualification  for  any  office 
or  public  trust. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  327 

SBC.  4.  The  Legislature  shall  establish  a  system  of 
county  and  town  governments,  which  shall  be  aa 
nearly  uniform  as  practicable,  throughout  the  State. 

SEC.  5.  The  Legislature  shall  have  power  to  pro- 
vide for  the  election  of  a  board  of  supervisors  in  each 
county ;  and  these  supervisors  shall,  jointly  and  indi- 
vidually, perform  such  duties  as  may  be  prescribed 
by  law. 

SEC.  6.  All  officers  whose  election  or  appointment 
is  not  provided  for  by  this  constitution,  and  all  officers 
whose  offices  may  hereafter  be  created  by  law,  shall 
be  elected  by  the  people,  or  appointed  as  the  Legisla- 
ture may  direct. 

SEC.  7.  When  the  duration  of  any  office  is  not  pro- 
vided for  by  this  constitution,  it  may  be  declared  by 
law ;  and  of  not  so  declared,  such  office  shall  be  held 
during  the  pleasure  of  the  authority  making  the  ap- 
pointment ;  nor  shall  the  duration  of  any  office,  not 
fixed  by  this  constitution,  ever  exceed  four  years. 

SBC.  8.  The  fiscal  year  shall  commence  on  the  first 
day  of  July. 

SEC.  9.  Each  county,  town,  city,  and  incorporated 
village,  shall  make  provision  for  the  support  of  its 
own  officers,  subject  to  such  restrictions  and  regula- 
tions as  the  Legislature  may  prescribe. 

SEC.  10.  The  credit  of  the  State  shall  not  in  any 
manner  be  given  or  loaned  to,  or  in  aid  of,  any  indi- 
vidual, association,  or  corporation ;  nor  shall  the 
State,  directly  or  indirectly,  become  a  stockholder  in 
any  association  or  corporation. 

SEC.  11.  Suits  may  be  brought  against  the  State, 
in  such  manner,  and  in  such  courts,  as  shall  be  directed 
by  law. 

SEC.  12.  No  contract  of  marriage,  if  otherwise 
S* 


328  HISTOBY  OP  CALIFORNIA. 

duly  made,  shall  be  invalidated,  for  want  of  confor- 
mity to  the  requirements  of  any  religious  sect. 

SEC.  13.  Taxation  shall  be  equal  and  uniform 
throughout  the  State.  All  property,  in  this  State, 
shall  be  taxed  in  proportion  to  its  value,  to  be  ascer- 
tained as  directed  by  law ;  but  assessors  and  collectors 
of  town,  county,  and  State  taxes,  shall  be  elected  by 
the  qualified  electors  of  the  district,  county,  or  town, 
in  which  the  property  taxed  for  State,  county,  or 
town  purposes  is  situated. 

SEC.  14.  All  property,  both  real  and  personal,  of 
the  wife,  owned  or  claimed  by  her  before  marriage, 
and  that  acquired  afterwards  by  gift,  devise,  or 
descent,  shall  be  her  separate  property ;  and  laws 
shall  be  passed  more  clearly  defining  the  rights  of  the 
wife,  in  relation  as  well  to  her  separate  property,  as 
to  that  held  in  common  with  her  husband.  Laws 
shall  also  be  passed  providing  for  the  restoration  of 
the  wife's  separate  property. 

SEC.  15.  The  Legislature  shall  protect  by  law,  from 
forced  sale,  a  certain  portoin  of  the  homestead  and 
other  property  of  all  heads  of  families. 

SEC.  16.  No  perpetuities  shall  be  allowed,  except 
for  eleemosynary  purposes. 

SEC.  17.  Every  person  shall  be  disqualified  from 
holding  any  office  of  profit  in  this  State,  who  shall 
have  been  convicted  of  having  given  or  offered  a  bribe, 
to  procure  his  election  or  appointment. 

SEC.  18.  Laws  shall  be  made  to  exclude  from  office, 
serving  on  juries,  and  from  the  right  of  suffrage,  those 
who  shall  hereafter  be  convicted  of  bribery,  perjury, 
forgery,  or  other  high  crimes.  The  privilege  of  free 
suffrage  shall  be  supported  by  laws  regulating  elec- 
tions, and  prohibiting,  under  adequate  penalties,  all 


HISTORY    OF   CALTFORNTA. 


32? 


undue  influence  t.hereon,  from  power,  bribery,  tumult, 
or  other  improper  practice. 

SEC.  19.  Absence  from  this  State  on  business  of 
the  State,  or  of  the  United  States,  shall  not  afiect  the 
question  or  residence  of  any  person. 

SEC.  20.  A  plurality  of  the  votes  given  at  any  elec- 
tion shall  constitute  a  choice,  where  not  otherwise 
directed  in  this  constitution. 

SEC.  21.  All  laws,  decrees,  regulations  and  provi- 
sions, which  from  their  nature  require  publication, 
shall  be  published  in  English  and  Spanish. 

ARTICLE   XIL 

BOUNDARY. 

The  boundary  of  the  State  of  California  shall  be  aa 
follows :— • 

Commencing  at  the  point  of  intersection  of  the  42d 
degree  of  north  latitude  with  the  120th  degree  of 
longitude  west  from  Greenwich,  and  running  south  on 
the  line  of  said  120th  degree  of  west  longitude  until  it 
intersects  the  39th  degree  of  north  latitude  ;  thence 
running  in  a  straight  line  in  a  south-easterly  direction 
to  the  River  Colorado,  at  a  point  where  it  intersects 
the  35th  degree  of  north  latitude ;  thence  down  the 
middle  of  the  channel  of  said  river,  to  the  boundary 
line  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  as  esta- 
blished by  the  treaty  of  May  30th,  1848 ;  thence  run- 
ning west  and  along  said  boundary  line  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  and  extending  therein  three  English  miles ; 
thence  running  in  a  north-westerly  direction,  and  follow- 
ing the  direction  of  the  Pacific  coast  to  the  42d  degree 
of  north  latitude ;  thence  on  the  line  of  said  42d 
degree  of  north  latitude  to  the  place  of  beginning. 


330  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

Also  all  the   islands,  harbors  and   bajs,  along   and! 
adjacent  to  the  Pacific  coast. 

SCHEDULE. 

SEC.  1.  All  rights,  prosecutions,  claims  and  con- 
tracts, as  well  of  individuals  as  of  bodies  corporate, 
and  all  laws  in  force  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of 
this  Constitution,  and  not  inconsistent  therewith,  until 
altered  or  repealed  by  the  Legislature,  shall  continue 
as  if  the  same  had  not  been  adopted. 

SEC.  2.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  for  the  re- 
moval of  all  causes  which  may  be  pending  when  this 
Constitution  goes  into  effect,  to  courts  created  by  the 


SEC.  3.  In  order  that  no  inconvenience  may  result 
to  the  public  service,  from  the  taking  effect  of  this 
Constitution,  no  office  shall  be  superseded  thereby,  nor 
the  laws  relative  to  the  duties  of  the  several  officers 
be  changed,  until  the  entering  into  office  of  the  new 
officers  to  be  appointed  under  this  Constitution. 

SEC.  4.  The  provisions  of  this  Constitution  con- 
cerning the  term  of  residence  necessary  to  enable 
persons  to  hold  certain  offices  therein  mentioned, 
shall  not  be  held  to  apply  to  officers  chosen  by  the 
people  at  the  first  election,  or  by  the  Legislature  at 
its  first  session. 

SEC.  5.  Every  citizen  of  California,  declared  a  le- 
gal voter  by  this  Constitution,  and  every  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  a  resident  of  this  State  on  the  day  of 
election,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  at  the  first  general 
election  under  this  Constitution,  and  on  the  question 
of  the  adoption  thereof. 

SEC.  6.  This  Constitution  shall  be  submitted  to  the 
people,  for  their  ratification  or  rejection,  at  tn« 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  33J 

general  election  to  be  held  on  Tuesday,  the  thirteenth 
day  of  November  naxt.  The  Executive  of  the  exist- 
ing  government  of  California  is  hereby  requested  to 
issue  a  proclamation  to  the  people,  directing  the  Pre- 
fects of  the  several  districts,  or  in  case  of  vacancy, 
the  Sub-Prefects,  or  senior  Judge  of  First  Instance, 
to  cause  such  election  to  be  held,  on  the  day  afore- 
said, in  their  respective  districts.  The  election  shall 
be  conducted  in  the  manner  which  was  prescribed  for 
the  election  of  delegates  to  this  convention,  except 
that  the  Prefect,  Sub-Prefect,  or  senior  Judge  of  First 
Instance  ordering  such  election  in  each  district,  shall 
have  power  to  designate  any  additional  number  of  places 
for  opening  the  polls,  and  that,  in  every  place  of  hold- 
ing the  election,  a  regular  poll-list  shall  be  kept  by  the 
judges  and  inspectors  of  election.  It  shall  also  be  the 
duty  of  these  judges  and  inspectors  of  election,  on 
the  day  aforesaid,  to  receive  the  votes  of  the  electors 
qualified  to  vote  at  such  election.  Each  voter  shall 
express  his  opinion,  by  depositing  in  the  ballot-box  a 
ticket,  whereon  shall  be  written,  or  printed  "  For  the 
Constitution,"  or  "  Against  the  Constitution,"  or 
oome  such  words  as  will  distinctly  convey  the  inten- 
tion of  the  voter.  These  Judges  and  Inspectors  shall 
also  receive  the  votes  for  the  several  officers  to  be 
voted  for  at  the  said  election,  as  herein  provided. 
At  the  close  of  the  election,  the  judges  and  inspec- 
tors shall  carefully  count  each  ballot,  and  forthwith 
make  duplicate  returns  thereof  to  the  Prefect,  Sub- 
Prefect,  or  senior  Judge  of  First  Instance,  as  the 
case  may  be,  of  their  respective  districts;  and  said 
Prefect,  Sub-Prefect,  or  senior  Judge  of  First  Instance 
shall  transmit  one  of  the  same,  by  the  most  safe  and 
rapid  conveyance,  to  the  Secretary  of  State.  Upon 


332  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

the  receipt  of  said  returns,  or  on  the  tenth  day  of 
December  next,  if  the  returns  be  not  sooner  received, 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  board  of  canvassers,  to  con- 
sist of  the  Secretary  of  State,  one  of  the  Judges  of 
the  Superior  Court,  the  Prefect,  Judge  of  First  In- 
stance, and  an  Alcalde  of  the  District  of  Monterey, 
or  any  three  of  the  aforementioned  officers,  in  the 
presence  of  all  who  shall  choose  to  attend,  to  compare 
the  votes  given  at  said  election,  and  to  immediately 
publish  an  abstract  of  the  same  in  one  or  more  of  the 
newspapers  of  California.  And  the  Executive  will 
also,  immediately  after  ascertaining  that  the  Consti- 
tution has  been  ratified  by  the  people,  make  proclama- 
tion of  the  fact ;  and  thenceforth  this  Consitution 
shall  be  ordained  and  established  as  the  Constitution 
of  California. 

SEC.  7.  If  this  Constitution  shall  be  ratified  by  the 
people  of  California,  the  Executive  of  the  existing 
government  is  hereby  requested,  immediately  after 
the  same  shall  be  ascertained,  in  the  manner  herein 
directed,  to  cause  a  fair  copy  thereof  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  order  that 
he  may  lay  it  before  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States. 

SEC.  8.  At  the  general  election  aforesaid,  viz: 
the  thirteenth  day  of  November  next,  there  shall 
be  elected  a  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  mem- 
bers of  the  Legislature,  and  also  two  members  of 
Congress. 

SEC.  9.  If  this  constitution  shall  be  ratified  by  the 
people  of  California,  the  Legislature  shall  assemble 
at  the  seat  of  government,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of 
December  next,  and  in  order  to  complete  the  organi- 
sation of  that  body,  the  Senate  shall  eJect  a  Presi- 


HISTORY    OF   CALIBOKNIA.  333 

dent  pro  tempore,  until  the  Lieutenant-Governor  shall 
be  installed  into  office. 

SEC.  10.  On  the  organization  of  the  Legislature,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  to  lay 
before  each  house  a  copy  of  the  abstract  made  by  the 
board  of  canvassers,  and,  if  called  for,  the  original 
returns  of  election,  in  order  that  each  house  may  judge 
of  the  correctness  of  the  report  of  said  board  of  can- 
vassers. 

SEC.  11.  The  Legislature,  at  its  first  session,  shall 
elect  such  officers  as  may  be  ordered  by  this  Constitu- 
tion, to  be  elected  by  that  body,  and  within  four  days 
after  its  organization,  proceed  to  elect  two  Senators 
to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  But  no  law 
passed  by  this  Legislature  shall  take  effect  until  signed 
by  the  Governor,  after  his  installation  into  office. 

SEC.  12.  The  Senators  and  Representatives  to  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  elected  by  the  Le- 
gislature and  people  of  California,  as  herein  directed, 
shall  be  furnished  with  certified  copies  of  this  Consti- 
tution, when  ratified,  which  they  shall  lay  before  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  requesting,  in  the  name 
of  the  people  of  California,  the  admission  of  the  State 
of  California  into  the  American  Union. 

SEC.  13.  All  officers  of  this  State,  other  than  mem- 
bers of  the  Legislature,  shall  be  installed  into  office 
on  the  fifteenth  day  of  December  next,  or  as  soon 
thereafter  as  practicable. 

SEC.  14.  Until  the  Legislature  shall  divide  the 
State  into  counties,  and  senatorial  and  assembly  dis- 
tricts, as  directed  by  this  Constitution,  the  following 
shall  be  the  apportionment  of  the  two  houses  of  the 
Legislature,  viz :  the  districts  of  San  Diego  and  Los 
Angeles  shall  jointly  elect  two  senators  ;  the  district! 


334  HISTOKY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

of  Santa  Barbara  and  San  Luis  Obispo  shall  jointly 
elect  one  senator ;  the  district  of  Monterey,  one  sena- 
tor ;  the  district  of  San  Jose,  one  senator ;  the 
listrict  of  San  Francisco,  two  senators ;  the  district 
jf  Sonoma,  one  senator ;  the  district  of  Sacramento, 
four  senators  ;  and  the  district  of  San  Joaquin,  four 
senators : — And  the  district  of  San  Diego  shall  elect 
one  member  of  assembly ;  the  district  of  Los  Angeles, 
two  members  of  assembly ;  the  district  of  San«a  Bar- 
bara, two  members  of  assembly ;  the  district  of  San 
Luis  Obispo,  one  member  of  assembly ;  the  district 
of  Monterey,  two  members  of  assembly ;  the  district 
of  San  Jose,  three  members  of  assembly ;  the  district 
of  San  Francisco,  five  members  of  assembly;  the 
district  of  Sonoma,  two  members  of  assembly ;  the 
district  of  Sacramento,  nine  members  of  assembly ; 
and  the  district  of  San  Joaquin,  nine  members  of 
assembly. 

SEC.  15.  Until  the  Legislature  shall  otherwise  di- 
rect, in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  Consti- 
tution, the  salary  of  the  Governor  shall  be  ten  thousand 
dollars  per  annum  ;  and  the  salary  of  the  Lieutenant- 
Governor  shall  be  double  the  pay  of  a  state  senator  ; 
and  the  pay  of  members  of  the  Legislature  shall  be 
sixteen  dollars  per  diem,  while  in  attendance,  and 
sixteen  dollars  for  every  twenty  miles  travel  by  the 
usual  route  from  their  residences,  to  the  place  of  hold- 
ing the  session  of  the  Legislature,  and  in  returning 
therefrom.  And  the  Legislature  shall  fix  the  salaries 
of  all  officers,  other  than  those  elected  by  the  people, 
at  the  first  election. 

SEC.  16.  The  limitation  of  the  powers  of  the  Le- 
gislature, contained  in  article  8th  of  this  Constitution, 
tution,  shall  not  extend  to  the  first  Legislature  elected 


HISTORY   Oi1   CALIFORNIA. 


335 


under  the  same,  which  is  hereby  authorized  to  nego- 
tiate for  such  amount  as  may  be  necessary  to  pay  the 
expenses  of  the  State  government. 

R.  SEMPLE, 
President  of  the  Convention 

and  Delegate  from  Beneci* 
WM.  G.  MARCY,  Secretary. 


J.  Aram, 

C.  T.  Botts, 

E.  Brown, 

J.  A.  Carillo, 

J.  M.  Covarrubias, 

E.  0.  Crosby, 

P.  De  La  Guerra, 

L.  Dent, 

M.  Dominguez, 

K.  H.  Dimmick, 

A.  J.  Ellis, 

S.  C.  Foster, 

E.  Gilbert, 

W.  M.  Gwinn, 

H.  W.  Halleck, 

Julian  Hanks, 

L.  W.  Hastings, 

Henry  Hill, 

J.  Hobson, 

J.  McH.  Hollingsworth, 

J.  D.  Hoppe, 

J.  M.  Jones, 

T.  0.  Larkin. 

Francis  J.  Lippitt, 


B.  S.  Lippincott, 
M.  M.  McCarver, 
John  McDougal, 
B.  F.  Moore, 
Myron  Norton, 
P.  Ord, 

Miguel  Pedrorena, 
A.  M.  Pico, 
R.  M.  Price, 
Hugo  Reed, 
Jacinto  Rodriguez, 
Pedro  Sansevaine, 
W.  E.  Shannon, 
W.  S.  Sherwood, 
J.  R.  Snyder, 
A.  Stearns, 
W.  M.  Steuart, 
J.  A.  Sutter, 
Henry  A.  Tefffc, 
S.  L.  Vermule, 
M.  G.  Vallejo, 
J.  Walker, 
0.  M.  Wozencraft 


336  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

B. 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

The  undersigned,  delegates  to  a  convention  autho 
rized  to  form  a  Constitution  for  the  State  of  California, 
having,  to  the  best  of  their  ability,  discharged  the 
high  trust  committed  to  them,  respectfully  submit  th« 
accompanying  plan  of  government  for  your  approval. 
Acknowledging  the  great  fundamental  principles,  that 
all  political  power  is  inherent  in  the  people,  and  that 
government  is  instituted  for  the  protection,  security 
and  benefit  of  the  people,  the  Constitution  presented 
for  your  consideration  is  intended  only  to  give  such 
organic  powers  to  the  several  departments  of  the  pro- 
posed government,  as  shall  be  necessary  for  its  efficient 
administration :  and  while  it  is  believed  no  power  has 
been  given,  which  is  not  thus  essentially  necessary,  the 
convention  deem  individual  rights,  as  well  as  public 
liberty,  are  amply  secured,  by  the  people  still  retain- 
ing not  only  the  great  conservative  power  of  free 
choice  and  election  of  all  officers,  agents,  and  repre- 
sentatives, but  the  unalienable  right  to  alter  or  reform 
their  government,  whenever  the  public  good  may 
require. 

Although  born  in  different  climes,  coming  from  differ- 
ent States,  imbued  with  local  feelings,  and  educated, 
perhaps,  with  predilections  for  peculiar  institutions, 
laws,  and  customs,  the  delegates  assembled  in  conven- 
tion as  Californians,  and  carried  on  their  deliberations 
in  a  spirit  of  amity,  compromise,  and  mutual  conces- 
sion for  the  public  weal. 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  a  difference  of  opinion  was 
entertained  in  the  convention,  as  to  the  policy  and 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  337 

expediency  of  several  measures  embodied  in  the  Con- 
stitution ;  but  looking  to  the  great  interests  of  the 
State  of  California,  the  peace,  happiness,  and  pros- 
perity of  the  whole  people, — individual  opinions  were 
freely  surrendered  to  the  will  of  the  majority,  and, 
with  one  voice,  we  respectfully  but  earnestly  recom 
mend  to  our  fellow  citizens  the  adoption  of  the  Con- 
stitution which  we  have  the  honor  to  submit. 

In  establishing  a  boundary  for  the  State,  the  con- 
vention conformed,  as  near  as  was  deemed  practicable 
and  expedient,  to  great  natural  landmarks,  so  as  to 
bring  into  a  union  all  those  who  should  be  included  by 
mutual  interest,  mutual  wants,  and  mutual  dependence. 
No  portion  of  territory  is  included,  the  inhabitants  of 
which  were  not  or  might  not  have  been  legitimately 
represented  in  the  convention,  under  the  authority  by 
which  it  was  convened  ;  and  in  unanimously  resolving 
to  exclude  slavery  from  the  State  of  California,  the 
great  principle  has  been  maintained,  that  to  the  people 
of  each  State  and  Territory,  alone,  belongs  the  right 
to  establish  such  municipal  regulations,  and  to  decide 
such  questions  as  affect  their  own  peace,  prosperity 
and  happiness. 

A  free  people,  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  elective 
government,  capable  of  securing  their  civil,  religious, 
and  political  rights,  may  rest  assured  these  inestimable 
privileges  can  never  be  wrested  from  them,  so  long  as 
they  keep  a  watchful  eye  on  the  operations  of  their 
government,  and  hold  to  strict  accountability  these  to 
whom  power  is  delegated.  No  people  were  ever  yet 
enslaved,  who  knew  and  dared  maintain  the  co-relative 
rights  and  obligations  of  free  and  independent  citizens. 
A  knowledge  of  the  laws — their  moral  force  and  effi- 
tacy,  thus  becomes  an  essential  element  of  freedom 


338  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

•end  makes  public  education  of  primary  importance, 
In  this  view,  the  Constitution  of  California  provides 
for,  and  guarantees  in  the  most  ample  manner,  the 
establishment  of  common  schools,  seminaries  and  col- 
leges, so  as  to  extend  the  blessings  of  education 
throughout  the  land,  and  secure  its  advantages  to  the 
present  and  future  generations.  Under  the  peculiar 
circumstances  in  which  California  becomes  a  State — 
with  an  unexampled  increase  of  a  population  coming 
from  every  part  of  the  world,  speaking  various  lan- 
guages, and  imbued  with  different  feelings  and  preju- 
dices, no  form  of  government,  no  system  of  laws,  can 
be  expected  to  meet  with  immediate  and  unanimous 
assent.  It  is  to  be  remembered,  moreover,  that  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  our  fellow-citizens  are  natives  of 
Old  Spain,  Californians,  and  those  who  have  volun- 
tarily relinquished  the  rights  of  Mexicans  to  enjoy 
those  of  American  citizens.  Long  accustomed  to  a 
different  form  of  government,  regarding  the  rights  of 
person  and  of  property  as  interwoven  with  ancient 
usages  and  time-honored  customs,  they  may  not  at 
once  see  the  advantages  of  the  proposed  new  govern- 
ment, or  yield  an  immediate  approval  of  new  laws, 
however  salutary  their  provisions,  or  conducive  to  the 
general  welfare.  But  it  is  confidently  believed,  when 
the  government  as  now  proposed  shall  have  gone  into 
successful  operation,  when  each  department  thereof 
shall  move  on  harmoniously  in  its  appropriate  and 
respective  sphere,  when  laws,  based  on  the  eternal 
principles  of  equity  and  justice,  shall  be  established, 
when  every  citizen  of  California,  shall  find  himself 
secure  in  life,  liberty,  and  property — all  will  unite  in 
the  cordial  support  of  institutions,  which  are  not  only 
the  pride  »nd  boast  of  every  true-hearted  citizen  of  the 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  339 

Union,  but  have  gone  forth,  a  guiding  light  to  every 
people  groping  through  the  gloom  of  religious  super- 
stition or  political  fanaticism — institutions,  which  even 
now,  while  all  Europe  is  agitated  with  the  convulsive 
efforts  of  nations  battling  for  liberty,  have  become  the 
mark  and  model  of  government  for  every  people  who 
would  hold  themselves  free,  sovereign,  and  independent. 

With  this  brief  exposition  of  the  views  and  opinions 
of  the  convention,  the  undersigned  submit  the  Constitu- 
tion and  plan  of  government  for  your  approval.  They 
earnestly  recommend  it  to  your  calm  and  deliberate 
consideration,  and  especially  do  they  most  respectfully 
urge  on  every  voter  to  attend  the  polls. 

The  putting  into  operation  of  a  government  which 
shall  establish  justice,  insure  domestic  tranquillity, 
promote  the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  blessings 
of  civil,  religious,  and  political  liberty,  should  be  an 
object  of  the  deepest  solicitude  to  every  true-hearted 
citizen,  and  the  consummation  of  his  dearest  wishes. 
The  price  of  liberty  is  eternal  vigilance,  and  thus  it  is 
not  only  the  privilege  but  the  duty  of  every  voter  to 
vote  his  sentiments.  No  freeman  of  this  land  who 
values  his  birthright,  and  would  transmit  unimpaired 
to  his  children  an  inheritance  so  rich  in  glory  and 
honor,  will  refuse  to  give  one  day  to  the  service  of 
his  country.  Let  every  qualified  voter  go  early  to 
the  polls,  and  give  his  free  vote  at  the  election  ap- 
pointed to  be  held  on  Tuesday,  the  13th  day  of  Novem- 
ber next,  not  only  that  a  full  and  fair  expression  of 
the  public  voice  may  be  had,  for  or  against  a  constitu- 
tion intended  to  secure  the  peace,  happiness  and 
prosperity  of  the  whole  people,  but  that  their  numeri- 
cal and  political  strength  may  be  made  manifest,  and 
the  world  see  by  what  majority  of  freemen  California, 


840 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA 


the  bright  star  of  the  West,   claims  i.  place  in  thi 
liadem  of  that  glorious  republic,  formed  by  the  Union 
of  thirty-one  sovereign  States. 
(Signed) 


Joseph  Aram, 
Chas.  T.  Botts, 
Elam  Brown, 
Jose  Anto.  Carillo, 
Jose  M.  Covarrubias, 
Elisha  0.  Crosby, 
Lewis  Dent, 
Manuel  Dominguez, 
K.  H.  Dimmick, 
A.  J.  Ellis, 
Stephen  G.  Foster, 
Pablo  De  La  Guerra, 
Benj.  S.  Lippincott, 
M.  M.  McCarver, 
John  McDougal, 
Benj.  F.  Moore, 
Myron  Norton, 
P.  Ord, 

Miguel  De  Pedrorena, 
Rodman  M.  Price, 
Antonio  M.  Pico, 
Jacinto  Rodrigues, 
Hugh  Reed, 
John  A  Sutter, 


Edw.  Gilbert, 
Wm.  M.  Gwin, 
Julian  Hanks, 
Henry  Hill, 
J.  D.  Hoppe, 
Joseph  Hobson, 
H.  W.  Halleck, 
L.  W.  Hastings, 
J.  McH.  Hollingsworth, 
Jas.  McHall  Jones, 
Thomas  0.  Larkin, 
Francis  J.  Lippitt, 
Jacob  R.  Snyder, 
W.  Scott  Sherwood, 
Wm.  C.  Shannon, 
Pedro  Sansevain, 
Abel  Stearns, 
W.  M.  Steuart, 
R.  Semple, 
Henry  A  Teflft, 
M.  G.  Vallejo, 
Thos.  L.  Vermule, 
Joel  P.- Walker, 
0.  M.  Wozencraft. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  341 


MESSAGE  FROM  THL  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED 

•  STATES, 

Transmitting  information  in  answer  to  a  resolution  of  the  House 
of  the  31st  of  December,  1849,  on  the  subject  of  California  and 

New  Mexico. 

% 

To  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THB 
UNITED  STATES. — I  transmit  to  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, in  answer  to  a  resolution  of  that  body 
passed  on  the  31st  of  December  last,  the  accompany- 
ing reports  of  heads  of  departments,  which  contain 
all  the  official  information  in  the  possession  of  the 
Executive  asked  for  by  the  resolution. 

On  coming  into  office,  I  found  the  military  com- 
mandant of  the  department  of  California  exercising 
the  functions  of  civil  governor  in  that  Territory ;  and 
left,  as  I  was,  to  act  under  the  treaty  of  Guada- 
lupe  Hidalgo,  without  the  aid  of  any  legislative  pro- 
vision establishing  a  government  in  that  Territory,  I 
thought  it  not  best  to  disturb  that  arrangement,  made 
under  my  predecessor,  until  Congress  should  take 
some  action  on  that  subject.  I  therefore  did  not 
interfere  with  the  powers  of  the  military  commandant, 
who  continued  to  exercise  the  functions  of  civil 
governor  as  before ;  but  I  made  no  such  appointment, 
conferred  no  such  authority,  and  have  allowed  no 
increased  compensation  to  the  commandant  for  hii 
services. 

With  a  view  to  the  faithful  execution  of  the  treaty, 
so  far  as  lay  in  the  power  of  the  Executive,  and  to 
enable  Congress  to  act,  at  the  present  session,  with  as 
24 


343  HISTORY  OF   CALIFORNIA 

full  knowledge  and  as  little  difficulty  as  possible,  on 
all  matters  of  interest  in  these  Territories,  I  sent  the 
honorable  Thomas  Butler  King  as  bearer  of  despatches 
to  California,  and  certain  officers  to  California  and 
New  Mexico,  whose  duties  are  particularly  defined  in 
the  accompanying  letters  of  instruction  addressed  to 
them  severally  by  the  proper  departments. 

I  did  not  hesitate  to  express  to  the  people  of  those 
Territories  my  desire  that  each  Territory  should,  ^f 
prepared  to  comply  with  the  requisitions  of  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States,  form  a  plan  of  a  State 
Constitution  and  submit  the  same  to  Congress,  with  a 
prayer  for  admission  into  the  Union  "as  a  State ;  but  I 
did  not  anticipate,  suggest,  or  authorize  the  establish- 
ment of  any  such  government  without  the  assent  of 
Congress ;  nor  did  I  authorize  any  government  agent 
or  officer  to  interfere  with  or  exercise  any  influence  or 
control  over  the  election  of  delegates,  or  over  any 
convention,  in  making  or  modifying  their  domestic 
institutions,  or  any  of  the  provisions  of  their  proposed 
Constitution.  On  the  contrary,  the  instructions  given 
by  my  orders  were,  that  all  measures  of  domestic 
policy  adopted  by  the  people  of  California  must 
originate  solely  with  themselves ;  that  while  the  Exe- 
cutive of  the  United  States  was  desirous  to  protect 
them  in  the  formation  of  any  government  republican 
in  its  character,  to  be  at  the  proper  time,  submitted 
to  Congress,  yet  it  was  to  be  distinctly  understood 
that  the  plan  of  such  a  government  must,  at  the  same 
time,  be  the  result  of  their  own  deliberate  choice,  and 
originate  with  themselves,  without  the  interference  of 
the  Executive. 

I  am  unable  to  give  any  information  as  to  laws 
passed  by  any  supposed  government  in  California,  of 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  345 

af  any  census  taken  in  either  of  the  Territories  men- 
tioned in  the  resolution,  as  I  have  no  information  on 
those  subjects. 

As  already  stated,  I  have  not  disturbed  the  ar 
rangements  which  I  found  had  existed  under  mj 
predecessor. 

In  advising  an  early  appli cation  by  the  people  of 
these  Territories  for  admission  as  States,  I  was  actu- 
ated principally  by  an  earnest  desire  to  afford  to  the 
wisdom  and  patriotism  of  Congress  the  opportunity 
of  avoiding  occasions  of  bitter  and  angry  dissensions 
among  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

Under  the  Constitution,  every  State  has  the  right 
of  establishing,  and,  from  time  to  time,  altering  its 
municipal  laws  and  domestic  institutions,  independent- 
ly of  every  other  State  and  of  the  general  govern- 
ment ;  subject  only  to  the  prohibitions  and  guaranties 
expressly  set  forth  in  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States.  The  subjects  thus  left  exclusively  to  the 
respective  States  were  not  designed  or  expected  to 
become  topics  of  national  agitation.  Still,  as,  under 
the  Constitution,  Congress  has  power  to  make  all 
needful  rules  and  regulations  respecting  the  Territories 
of  the  United  States,  every  new  acquisition  of  terri- 
tory has  led  to  discussions  on  the  question  whether 
the  system  of  involuntary  servitude  which  prevails  in 
many  of  the  States  should  or  should  not  be  prohibited 
in  that  Territory.  The  periods  of  excitement  from 
this  cause  which  have  heretofore  occurred  have  been 
safely  passed  ;  but  during  the  interval,  of  whatever 
length,  which  may  elapse  before  the  admission  of  the 
Territories  ceded  by  Mexico  as  States,  it  appears 
probable  that  similar  excitement  will  prevail  to  an 
undue  extent. 

T 


344  HISTORY   OF   CALIFOENIA. 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  thought,  and  still 
think,  that  it  was  my  duty  to  endeavor  to  put  it  in 
the  power  of  Congress,  by  the  admission  of  California 
and  New  Mexico  as  States,  to  remove  all  occasion  for 
the  unnecessary  agitation  of  the  public  mind. 

It  is  understood  that  the  people  of  the  western  part 
of  California  have  formed  a  plan  of  a  State  Constitu- 
tion, and  will  soon  submit  the  same  to  the  judgment 
of  Congress,  and  apply  for  admission  as  a  State. 
This  course  on  their  part,  though  in  accordance  with, 
was  not  adopted  exclusively  in  consequence  of, 
any  expression  of  my  wishes  inasmuch  as  measures 
tending  to  this  end  had  been  promoted  by  the  officers 
sent  there  by  my  predecessor,  and  were  already  in 
active  progress  of  execution  before  any  communica- 
tion from  me  reached  California.  If  the  proposed 
Constitution  shall,  when  submitted  to  Congress,  be 
found  to  be  in  compliance  with  the  requisitions  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  I  earnestly  recom- 
mend that  it  may  receive  the  sanction  of  Congress. 

The  part  of  California  not  included  in  the  proposed 
State  of  that  name  is  believed  to  be  uninhabited,  ex- 
cept in  a  settlement  of  our  countrymen  in  the  vicinity 
of  Salt  Lake. 

A  claim  has  been  advanced  by  the  State  of  Texas 
to  a  very  large  portion  of  the  most  populous  district 
of  New  Mexico.  If  the  people  of  New  Mexico  had 
formed  a  plan  of  a  State  government  for  that  Terri- 
tory as  ceded  by  the  treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo, 
and  had  been  admitted  by  Congress  as  a  State,  our 
Constitution  would  have  afforded  the  means  of  obtain- 
ing an  adjustment  of  the  question  of  boundary  with 
Texas  by  a  judicial  decision.  At  present,  however, 
no  judicial  tribunal  has  the  power  of  deciding  that 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  345 

question,  and  it  remains  for  Congress  to  devise  some 
mode  for  its  adjustment.  Meanwhile,  I  submit  to  Con- 
gress the  question  whether  it  would  be  expedient, 
before  such  adjustment,  to  establish  a  territorial 
government,  which,  by  including  the  district  BO 
claimed,  would  practically  decide  the  question  ad- 
versely to  the  Staid,  cf  Tes.^  GI>  lj  ci.'t:.;.^  it, 
would  decide  it  in  her  favor.  In  my  opinion,  such  a 
course  would  not  be  expedient,  especially  as  the  peo- 
ple of  this  Territory  still  enjoy  the  benefit  and  pro- 
tection of  their  municipal  laws,  originally  derived 
from  Mexico,  and  have  a  military  force  stationed 
there  to  protect  them  against  the  Indians.  It  is  un- 
doubtedly true  that  the  property,  lives,  liberties,  and 
religion  of  the  people  of  New  Mexico  are  better  pro- 
tected than  they  ever  were  before  the  treaty  of  cession 
Should  Congress,  when  California  shall  present  her- 
self for  incorporation  into  the  Union,  annex  a  condi- 
tion to  her  admission  as  a  State  affecting  her  domes- 
tic institutions,  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  her  people, 
and  even  compel  her  temporarily,  to  comply  with  it, 
yet  the  State,  could  change  her  Constitution  at  any 
time  after  admission,  when  to  her  it  should  seem 
expedient.  Any  attempt  to  deny  to  the  people  of  the 
State  the  right  of  self-government,  in  a  matter  which 
peculiarly  affects  themselves,  will  infallibly  be  re- 
garded by  them  as  an  invasion  of  their  rights ;  and, 
upon  the  principles  laid  down  in  our  own  Declaration 
of  Independence,  they  will  certainly  be  sustained  by 
the  gteat  mass  *f  the  American  people.  To  assert 
that  they  are  a  conquered  people,  and  must,  as  a 
State,  submit  to  the  will  of  their  conquerors  in  thia 
regard,  will  meet  with  no  cordial  response  among 
Amer'can  freemen.  Great  numbers  of  them  are  na- 


346  HISTORY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

live  '  itizens  of  the  United  States  not  inferior  to  the 
rest  :.-f  our  countrymen  in  intelligence  and  patriotism ; 
and  no  language  of  menace,  to  restrain  them  in  the 
exercise  of  an  undoubted  right,  guarantied  to  them 
by  tne  treaty  of  cession  itself,  shall  ever  be  uttered 
by  me,  or  encouraged  and  sustained  by  persons  acting 
under  my  authority.  It  is  to  be  expected  that,  in  the 
residue  of  the  Territory  ceded  to  us  by  Mexico,  the 
people  residing  there  will,  at  the  time  of  their  incor- 
poration into  the  Union  as  a  State,  settle  all  questions 
of  domestic  policy  to  suit  themselves.  No  material 
inconvenience  will  result  from  the  want,  for  a  short 
period,  of  a  government  established  by  Congress  over 
that  part  of  the  Territory  which  lies  eastward  of  the 
new  State  of  California ;  and  the  reasons  for  my 
opinion  that  New  Mexico  will,  at  no  very  distant  pe- 
riod, ask  for  admission  into  the  Union,  are  founded  on 
un-official  information,  which,  I  suppose,  is  common  to 
all  who  have  cared  to  make  inquiries  on  that  subject. 
Seeing,  then,  that  the  question  which  now  excites 
such  painful  sensations  in  the  country  will,  in  the  end, 
certainly  be  settled  by  the  silent  effect  of  causes  inde- 
pendent of  the  action  of  Congress,  I  again  submit  to 
your  wisdom  the  policy  recommended  in  my  annual 
message,  of  awaiting  the  salutary  operation  of  those 
causes,  believing  that  we  shall  thus  avoid  the  creation 
of  geographical  parties,  and  secure  the  harmony  of 
feeling  so  necessary  to  the  beneficial  action  of  our 
political  system.  Connected  as  the  Union  is  with  the 
remembrance  of  past  happiness,  the  sense  of  present 
blessings,  and  the  hope  of  future  peace  and  prosperity, 
every  dictate  of  wisdom,  every  feeling  of  duty,  and 
every  emotion  of  patriotism,  tend  to  inspire  fidelity 
and  devotion  to  it,  and  admonish  us  cautiously  to  avoid 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  347 

any  unnecessary  controversy  which  can  either  en- 
danger it  or  impair  its  s-trength,  the  chief  element  of 
which  is  to  be  found  in  the  regard  and  affection  of  th« 
people  for  each  other. 

Z.   TAYLOR. 
WASHINGTON  CITY,  D.  C.,  January  21st,  1850 


D. 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT  OF  CALIFORNIA, 

Monterey,  August  30,  1849. 

GENERAL  : — I  have  the  honor  to  transmit,  herewith, 
copies  of  civil  papers  and  letters  issued  by  me  since 
my  despatch  of  June  30,  and  to  continue  my  report 
on  the  civil  affairs  of  this  country  from  this  date. 

Accompanied  by  Captain  Halleck,  Secretary  of 
State  for  California,  and  Major  Canby,  Captain  Wes 
cott,  and  Lieutenant  Derby,  of  my  military  staff,  I 
left  this  place  on  the  5th  July  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
specting the  military  posts  in  the  interior,  and  of 
learning  from  personal  observation  the  actual  state 
of  affairs  in  the  mineral  regions,  and  also  of  allaying, 
so  far  as  I  could,  the  hostile  feeling  which  was  said  to 
exist  between  the  Americans  and  foreigners  who  were 
working  in  the  gold  placers.  My  report  on  the  state 
of  the  troops  and  a  more  detailed  account  of  my  tour 
will  be  forwarded  with  my  military  papers. 

Passing  the  mission  of  San  Juan  Bautista,  we 
irossed  the  coast  range  of  mountains  near  the  ranche 
of  Senor  Pacheco,  and  struck  the  San  Joaquin  River 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Merced ;  and,  after  visiting 
Major  Miller's  camp  on  the  Stanislaus,  we  proceeded 
to  examine  the  principal  placers  on  the  tributaries  of 


348  HISTOKY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

that  river  and  of  the  Tuolumne.  These  washings  or 
diggings  have  been  among  the  richest  and  most  pro- 
ductive in  California. 

They  are  situated  within  a  circuit  of  some  twelve 
or  fifteen  miles,  and  are  known  as  Jamestown,  Wood's 
Creek,  Sonoranian  Camp,  Sullivan's  Creek,  Curtis's 
Creek,  French  Creek,  Carson's  Creek,  and  Angelo 
Creek.  Some  of  these  have  hecome  places  of  consi- 
derable business,  particularly  the  Sonoranian  Camp, 
which  presents  the  appearance  of  a  city  of  canvas  houses. 

Passing  the  Stanislaus  River  in  the  mountains,  we 
proceeded  to  Major  Kingsbury's  camp  near  the  mouth 
of  the  American  River,  crossing  in  our  route  the 
Calaveras,  Moquelume,  Seco,  and  Cosumnes  Rivers ; 
all  of  which  have  rich  washings  near  their  sources, 
and  on  their  bars  and  islands.  From  Major  Kings 
bury's  camp  we  ascended  the  American  River  to  Cut 
lamo  Hills,  where  the  first  placer  was  discovered  by 
Captain  Sutter's  employees  in  the  spring  of  1848. 
From  Cullamo  we  crossed  the  country  to  Stockton,  a 
new  town  on  an  estero  some  distance  above  the  mouth 
of  the  San  Joaquin,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Colonel 
Cazey's  camp  at  the  straits  of  Carquinnes ;  returning 
via  San  Francisco  to  Monterey,  which  place  we 
reached  on  the  afternoon  of  the  9th  instant. 

We  found  the  country  at  this  season  dry  and 
parched  by  the  sun,  the  heat  of  which  became  very 
great  the  moment  we  crossed  the  coast  range  of  moun- 
tains. The  thermometer  ranges  as  high  as  113°  Fah. 
in  the  shade,  and  above  140°  Fah.  in  the  sun.  A 
great  portion  of  the  valley  of  the  Joaquin  is  so  barren 
as  scarcely  to  afford  subsistence  for  our  animals,  and 
can  never  be  of  much  value  for  agricultural  purposes. 
There,  however,  is,  some  excellent  land  on  the  east 


HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA.  349 

side  of  that  river,  bordering  its  large  tributaries.  A 
considerable  portion  of  the  valleys  of  the  Moquelume, 
Seco,  Cosumnes,  and  American  Rivers  is  also  well 
adapted  to  agriculture;  and  the  broad  plains  lying 
between  them  furnish  abundant  pasture  for  raising 
stock.  But  the  amount  of  good  arable  land,  as  com- 
pared with  the  extent  of  country  which  we  passed 
over,  is  small,  and  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  the 
richness  and  extreme  fertility  of  certain  localities 
have  led  to  erroneous  conclusions  respecting  the 
general  character  of  the  country.  Certain  it  is,  that 
while  there  may  be  found  sufficient  arable  lands  to 
support,  if  well  cultivated,  a  numerous  population, 
here  is  also  a  very  great  extent  of  rough  and  moun- 
tainous country  and  sandy  and  barren  plains  which 
are  of  little  value.  The  great  difficulty  to  be  en- 
countered in  agricultural  pursuits  in  some  portions  of 
California  is  the  want  of  water  for  irrigation ;  but 
possibly  this  difficulty  may  be  overcome  in  part  b^ 
resorting  to  artesian  wells.  If  so,  much  of  the  public 
land  which  is  now  unsaleable  may  be  brought  into 
market,  and  the  settlement  of  the  country  greatly  ac- 
celerated. I  would,  therefore,  suggest  whether  it 
may  not  be  advisable  for  our  government  to  direct 
some  experiments  to  be  made  at  the  public  expense  in 
sinking  wells  of  this  character,  for  even  if  unsuccess- 
ful as  a  means  of  irrigation,  their  construction  will 
greatly  assist  in  determining  the  geological  character 
of  the  country.  At  present  nearly  all  agricultural 
labors  are  suspended  in  the  general  scramble  for  gold ; 
but  the  enormous  prices  paid  for  fruit  and  vegetables 
in  the  towns  will  undoubtedly  induce  many,  during 
the  coming  year,  to  turn  their  attention  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  soil.  The  failure  on  the  part  of  Congress, 


350  HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

at  its  last  session,  to  authorize  the  sale  of  public  lands 
in  California,  has  proved  detrimental  to  the  agricul- 
tural interest  of  the  country. 

A  large  number  of  those  who  have  recently  emi- 
grated to  California  are  desirous  to  locate  themselvei 
permanently  in  the  country,  and  to  cultivate  the  soil, 
but  the  uncertainty  which  exists  with  respect  to  the 
validity  of  land  titles  in  California,  and  to  what  actu- 
ally constitutes  the  public  domain,  serves  as  a  serious 
check  to  the  forming  of  new  agricultural  settlements  ; 
moreover,  speculators  are  purchasing  up  fraudulent 
and  invalid  titles  to  large  tracts  of  the  public  domain, 
and  selling  them  off  in  parcels,  and  at  enormous  profits, 
to  those  who  have  recently  arrived  in  the  country,  and 
who  are  necessarily  ignorant  of  the  real  state  of  the 
case.  All  the  mission  lands  in  California  were  secu- 
larized, or  made  government  property,  by  a  law  of 
Mexico,  dated  August  17th.  1833,  and  the  territorial 
government  of  California,  under  the  authority  of  the 
Mexican  laws,  leased  and  sold  a  portion  of  these  lands 
and  mission  property.  Another  portion  of  this  pro- 
perty, however,  still  remained  unsold  when  the  Ameri- 
cans took  possession  of  the  country,  and  it  has  since 
been  left  in  the  hands  of  government  agents  for  pre- 
servation. Erroneously  supposing  that  these  lands  are 
subject  to  pre-emption  laws,  some  of  the  recent  emi- 
grants have  attempted  to  settle  upon  them. 

But  I  cannot  deem  myself  justifiable  in  permitting 
this,  for  I  do  not  conceive  that  lands  which  have  been 
under  cultivation  for  half  a  century,  and  now  belong 
to  government,  can  be  subject  to  the  pre-emption 
claims  of  private  individuals,  in  the  same  manner  aa 
the  uncultivated  lands  of  the  public  domain.  It  is, 
however,  important  for  the  interest  of  the  country  that 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  351 

these  mission  lands  be  brought  into  market  with  the 
least  possible  delay,  and  also  that  provision  be  made 
by  law  for  the  settlement  and  sale  of  other  public  lands 
in  California.  And  as  disputes  are  almost  daily  occur- 
ring between  individuals  respecting  the  extent  of 
their  several  claims,  and  the  validity  of  their  titles,  1 
would  urge  upon  our  government  the  necessity  of 
immediately  taking  measures  for  the  speedy  and  final 
settlement  of  these  titles  upon  principles  of  equity  and 
justice.  This  is  absolutely  essential  for  the  peace 
and  prosperity  of  the  country. 

For  information  connected  with  this  subject,  I  beg 
leave  to  call  attention,  to  the  report  of  Captain  Hal- 
leek,  Secretary  of  State  for  California,  which  was 
forwarded  to  Washington  by  my  predecessor,  in  the 
early  part  of  April  last. 

Before  leaving  Monterey  I  heard  numerous  rumors 
of  irregularities  and  crimes  among  those  working  in 
the  placers;  but,  on  visiting  the  mining  regions,  I 
was  agreeably  surprised  to  learn  that  every  thing  was 
quite  the  reverse  from  what  had  been  represented, 
and  that  order  and  regularity  were  preserved  through- 
out almost  the  entire  extent  of  the  mineral  districts. 
In  each  little  settlement,  or  tented  town,  the  miners 
have  elected  their  local  alcaldes  and  constables,  whose 
judicial  decisions  and  official  acts  are  sustained  by  the 
people,  and  enforced  with  much  regularity  and  energy. 
It  is  true,  that  in  a  few  instances  certain  local  ques- 
tions have  produced  temporary  excitements  and  diffi- 
culties, but  none  of  these  have  been  of  a  very  important 
character,  or  led  to  serious  results.  Alcaldes  have 
probably  in  some  cases,  and  under  peculiar  circum- 
stances, exercised  judicial  powers  which  were  never 
conferred  upon  'hem  by  law ;  but  the  general  result 
T*  30 


352  HISTORY   OF    CALIFORNIA. 

has  been  favorable  to  the  preservation  of  order  and 
the  dispensation  of  justice. 

The  old  placers  are  still  exceedingly  productive,  and 
new  ones  are  almost  daily  discovered  in  the  smaller 
streams  running  from  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada  into  the  great  valleys  of  the  Sacramento  and 
San  Joaquin  Rivers. 

I  am  satisfied,  however,  from  personal  observation, 
that  very  exaggerated  accounts  have  been  sent  to 
the  United  States  respecting  the  ease  with  which  the 
precious  metal  is  extracted  from  the  earth,  and  that 
many  who  come  to  this  country  with  the  expectation 
of  acquiring  sudden  wealth,  with  little  or  no  labor,  will 
be  sadly  disappointed.  It  is  true  that  the  reward  of 
labor  in  the  mines  is  very  high  ;  but  it  should  not  be 
forgotten  that  gold  digging  and  gold  washing  in  that 
climate  require  strong  constitutions  and  great  physical 
exertions,  and  very  few  need  expect  to  acquire  for- 
tunes by  working  the  placers,  without  severe  labor 
and  fixed  habits  of  industry  and  temperance.  The 
yield  of  different  localities  is,  of  course,  very  different, 
gome  of  the  placers  being  exceedingly  rich,  while  the 
product  of  others  is  scarcely  sufiicient  to  pay  the 
expenses  of  working.  But  I  think  the  general  averages 
per  diem,  for  those  actually  employed  in  washing  for 
gold,  will  not  vary  much  from  an  ounce  or  an  ounce 
and  a  half  per  man  ;  some  make  much  more  than  that 
sum,  while  those  who  are  less  fortunate  fall  much  short 
of  it.  The  actual  number  of  persons  working  the 
placers  will  not  vary  much  from  ten  thousand.  The 
entire  population  now  in  the  mining  district  is  much 
greater  than  that  number ;  but  many  are  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  and  in  transporting  goods  and 
provisions,  while  others  employ  much  of  their  time  in 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  858 

"prospecting,"  or  looking  for  newer  and  richer  locali- 
ties. 

I  also  found  that  the  reports  which  had  reached  me 
of  hostilities  between  Americans  and  foreigners,  in 
the  mining  districts,  were  greatly  exaggerated,  and 
that,  with  a  few  individual  exceptions,  every  thing  had 
remained  quiet  and  orderly.  In  some  of  the  northern 
placers  a  party  of  Americans  and  Europeans,  urged 
on  by  political  aspirants,  who  seem  willing  to  endanger 
the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  the  country,  in  order  to 
promote  their  own  personal  interest,  have  assumed  the 
authority  to  order  all  Mexicans  and  South  Americans 
from  that  part  of  the  territory.  Their  orders  were 
quietly  submitted  to  by  the  foreigners,  a  portion  of 
whom  removed  to  the  mines  further  south,  where  the 
American  population  manifested  a  very  decided  dispo- 
sition to  afford  them  protection  should  they  be  further 
molested.  The  more  intelligent  and  thinking  portion 
of  Americans  regard  this  measure  as  illegal  and  inju- 
dicious, and  will  discountenance  any  repetition  of 
movements  so  well  calculated  to  disturb  the  public 
tranquillity,  and  to  create  bitter  and  exasperated  feel- 
ings, where  it  is  evidently  our  policy  to  cultivate  those 
of  the  most  friendly  character.  Some  of  the  English, 
Irish,  and  German  emigrants,  in  the  northern  placers, 
assisted  in  this  movement  against  the  Mexicans,  Peru- 
vians, and  Chilians,  and  probably  exerted  themselves 
much  more  than  any  of  our  own  citizens  to  create  a 
prejudice  and  excitement  against  the  Spanish  race. 
They  were  probably  actuated  by  pecuniary  interest. 
The  great  influx  of  people  from  the  southern  portion 
of  this  continent  was  diminishing  the  price  of  labor  in 
the  towns  near  the  northern  rivers,  and  the  large 
number  of  pack  animals  brought  from  Lower  Califor- 


35*  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

nia  and  Sonora  was  producing  a  corresponding 
tion  in  the  expenses  of  transportation. 

For  example,  the  price  of  a  pack  mule  in  some 
parts  of  the  mining  districts  a  few  months  ago  was 
about  $500,  whereas  they  can  now  be  purchased  for 
less  than  $150.  The  cost  of  transportation  from  the 
principal  landing  on  the  San  Joaquin  River  to  the 
Sonoranian  camp  was  $75  per  hundred,  whereas  at  the 
present  time  it  is  only  about  $7. 

This  has  reduced  the  prices  of  provisions  in  the 
placers  one  and  two  hundred  per  cent.  Some  of  the 
merchants  who  had  large  stocks  of  goods  in  the  mines, 
and  those  who  were  engaged  in  transportation  at  the 
prices  formerly  paid,  have  suffered  by  the  change, 
and  it  is  natural  that  they  should  feel  incensed  against 
that  class  of  foreigners  who  have  contributed  most  to 
effect  it. 

But  it  is  thought  by  others  that  the  great  majority 
^f  the  laborers  and  consumers  in  the  mining  districts 
have  been  benefited  by  this  change,  and  that  it  would 
be  injurious  to  the  prosperity  of  the  country  to  restore 
things  to  their  former  state  by  the  expulsion  and  pro- 
hibition of  foreigners  from  the  mines. 

Americans,  by  their  superior  intelligence  and 
shrewdness  in  business,  generally  contrive  to  turn  to 
their  own  benefit  the  earnings  of  the  Mexicans, 
Chilians,  and  Peruvians  in  this  country,  and  any 
measure  of  exclusiveness  which  is  calculated  to  diminish 
the  productive  labor  of  California  would  be  of  exceed- 
ingly doubtful  policy. 

When  applied  to  by  the  different  parties  for  my 
opinion  on  the  question  of  expelling  foreigners,  I  have 
uniformly  told  them  that  no  persons,  native  Americans 
i»r  foreigners,  have  any  legal  right  to  dig  gold  in  the 


HISTORY   Of    CALIFORNIA.  355 

public  lands  ;  but  that,  until  the  government  of  the 
United  States  should  act  in  the  matter,  they  would 
not  be  molested  in  their  pursuits  ;  that  I  could  not 
countenance  any  class  of  men  in  their  attempts  to 
monopolize  the  working  of  the  mines,  and  that  all 
questions  touching  the  temporary  right  of  individuals 
to  work  in  particular  localities,  of  which  they  were  in 
actual  possession,  should  be  left  to  the  decision  of  the 
local  judicial  authorities. 

I  cannot  close  my  remarks  on  this  subject  without 
again  calling  the  attention  of  government  to  the 
importance  of  establishing  a  mint  in  -California  at  the 
earliest,  moment. 

This  measure  is  called  for  by  every  consideration 
of  natural  policy  and  of  justice  to  the  mercantile 
mining  population  of  California. 

General  Kearny,  during  his  administration  of  affairs 
in  this  country,  appointed,  by  virtue  of  his  authority 
as  governor  of  California,  two  sub-Indian  agents,  who 
have  ever  since  been  continued  in  office,  and  their 
services  found  of  great  utility  in  preserving  harmony 
among  the  wild  tribes,  and  in  regulating  their  inter- 
course with  the  whites. 

They  have  been  paid  from  the  "civil  fund"  very 
moderate  salaries,  which  will  be  continued  until  "arri- 
vals of  agents  regularly  appointed  by  the  general 
government-  Notwithstanding  every  effort  on  the 
part  of  those  agents  and  of  the  officers  of  the  army 
here,  it  has  not  been  possible  at  all  times  to  prevent 
aggression  on  the  part  of  the  whites,  or  to  restrain 
the  Indians  from  avenging  these  injuries  in  their  own 
way. 

In  the  month  of  April  last,  the  agent  in  the  Sacra- 
mento valley  reported  that  a  body  of  Oregonians  and 


356  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

mountaineers  had  committed  most  horrible  barbaritief 
on  the  defenceless  Indians  in  that  vicinity. 

Those  cruel  and  inhuman  proceedings,  added,  per- 
haps, to  the  execution  of  a  number  of  chiefs  some  year 
and  a  half  since  by  a  military  force  sent  into  the  San 
Joaquin  valley  by  my  predecessor,  (the  facts  of  which 
were  reported  to  Washington  at  the  time,)  have  neces- 
sarily produced  a  hostile  feeling  on  the  part  of  the 
natives,  and  several  small  parties  of  whites,  who,  in 
their  pursuit  of  gold,  ventured  too  far  into  the  Indian 
country,  have  been  killed. 

My  correspondence  with  the  Indian  agents  and 
military  officers  established  in  the  Sacramento  and 
San  Joaquin  valleys  will  inform  you  of  the  measures 
taken  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  these  difficulties. 

I  would  respectfully  recommend  that  at  least  three 
sub-Indian  agents  be  appointed  for  this  country,  and 
stationed  in  the  valleys  of  the  Sacramento  and  San 
Joaquin. 

These  agents  should  receive  ample  pay  in  order  to 
enable  them  to  defray  the  expenses  of  living  in  that 
part  of  the  country,  and  should  be  men  of  the  highest 
moral  character ;  for  otherwise  they  would  not  resist 
the  temptation  to  engage  in  illicit  trade  with  the 
natives,  or  to  employ  them  for  the  individual  benefit 
of  the  agents  in  washing  for  gold. 

The  election  called  by  me  for  the  1st  instant  was 
held  on  that  day,  and  has  been  attended  with  the 
most  happy  results. 

Every  district  has  elected  its  local  officers,  and 
appointed  delegates  to  meet  in  general  convention  at 
this  place  on  the  1st  proximo,  to  form  a  State  Con- 
stitution or  plan  of  territorial  government,  which  will 
be  submitted  to  the  people  for  their  ratification,  and 


HISTORY    OF    CALIFORNIA.  857 

transmitted   to  Washington  for  the  action  of  Con- 
gress. 

Most  of  the  local  and  judicial  officers  named  in  my 
proclamation  of  th#  3d  of  June,  have  already  entered 
upon  their  duties,  and  the  interest  which  was  taken 
by  the  people  in  every  part  of  the  country  in  this 
election,  and  the  zeal  manifested  by  those  elected  and 
appointed  to  office,  afford  strong  hopes  that  the  exist- 
ing government  will  be  able  to  preserve  order  and 
secure  the  administration  of  justice  until  a  new  one 
shall  be  put  into  regular  and  successful  operation. 

In  my  former  despatch  I  mentioned  that  the  civil 
officers  of  the  existing  government  would  be  paid  their 
regular  salaries  from  the  "  civil  funds,"  which  had 
beeu  formed,  under  the  direction  of  the  governor  of 
California,  mainly  out  of  the  proceeds  of  the  temporary 
custom-houses  established  by  my  predecessors  on  this 
coast. 

It  will  also  be  necessary  to  use  a  portion  of  this 
fund  In  the  immediate  construction  of  jails  for  the 
security  of  civil  prisoners. 

The  want  of  such  jails  has  already  led  to  the  most 
serious  inconveniencies ;  prisoners  have  so  frequently 
effected  their  escape,  that,  on  several  occasions,  the 
people  have  risen  in  masses  and  executed  criminals 
immediately  after  trial,  and  without  waiting  for  the 
due  fulfilment  of  all  the  requisitions  of  the  laws. 

In  many  cases  it  has  been  found  necessary  to  confine 
civil  prisoners  on  board  vessels  of  war,  and  in  the 
guax-d-houses  of  the  garrison ;  but  in  towns,  at  a  dis- 
tance from  the  coast  and  the  military  posts,  the  diffi- 
culty of  retaining  prisoners  in  custody  has  led,  in  some 
instances,  to  immediate  and  summary  executions. 

This  evil  calls  for  an  immediate  remedy,  which  will 
25 


358  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

be  afforded,  so  far  as  the  means  at  my  Jisposal  will 
Admit. 

I  beg  leave,  in  this  place,  to  add  a  few  remarks  on 
the  use  which  has  been,  and  will  continue  to  be,  mad« 
of  this  "  civil  fund." 

In  the  instructions  from  Washington  to  General 
Kearny,  in  1846,  for  his  guidance  in  California,  the 
establishment  of  port  regulations  on  this  coast  was 
assigned  to  the  commander  of  the  Pacific  squadron, 
while  it  was  said  "  the  appointment  of  temporary  col- 
lectors at  the  several  ports  appertains  to  the  civil 
governor  of  the  province." 

It  was  also  directed  that  the  duties  at  the  custom- 
houses be  used  for  the  support  of  the  necessary 
officers  of  the  civil  government.  This  division  of 
duties,  and  this  disposition  of  the  proceeds  of  the 
customs  were  continued  during  the  whole  war. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  Treasury  Department  regu- 
lations respecting  the  collection  of  military  contri- 
butions in  Mexico,  officers  of  the  army  and  navy 
were  made  collectors  at  some  of  the  ports,  but  at 
others  the  civil  collectors  appointed  by  the  Governor 
of  California  were  retained. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Governor  Mason,  for  rea- 
sons already  communicated,  determined  to  continue 
the  collection  of  revenue  in  the  country,  on  the  au- 
thority which  had  previously  been  given  to  him,  until 
Congress  should  act  in  the  matter,  or  orders  to  the 
contrary  be  received  from  Washington.  He,  there- 
fore, as  governor  of  California,  again  appointed  civil 
collectors  in  the  ports  where  nilitary  officers  had  tem- 
porarily performed  those  duties,  and  collected  the 
customs  on  all  foreign  goods,  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions  of  the  tariff  of  1846,  while  the  commander 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  359 

of  the  Pacific  squadron  continued  the  direction  of 
all  matters  relating  to  port  regulations.  A  double 
necessity  impelled  the  governor  to  this  course.  The 
country  was  in  pressing  need  of  these  foreign  goods, 
and  Congress  had  established  no  port  of  entry  on  this 
coast.  The  want  of  a  more  complete  organization  of 
the  existing  civil  government  was  daily  increasing,  and, 
as  Congress  had  made  no  provisions  for  supporting  a 
government  in  this  country,  it  was  absolutely  necessary 
to  create  a  fund  for  that  purpose  from  the  duties  col- 
lected on  these  foreign  goods.  It  is  true  that  there 
were  no  laws  authorizing  the  collection  of  these 
duties;  but  at  the  same  time  the  laws  forbade  the 
landing  of  the  goods  till  the  duties  were  paid.  Gov- 
ernor Mason,  therefore,  had  no  alternative  but  to 
pursue  the  course  which  he  adopted.  He  immediately 
communicated  to  Washington  his  action  in  the  case ; 
and  as  the  receipt  of  his  despatch  was  acknowledged 
without  any  dissent  being  expressed,  it  must  be  pre- 
sumed that  his  course  met  the  approbation  of  the 
government.  When  I  assumed  command  in  this 
country  as  civil  governor,  I  was  directed  to  receive 
these  communications  and  instructions  from  Governor 
Mason,  for  my  guidance  in  the  administration  of  the 
civil  affairs  of  this  Territory.  I  have  accordingly 
continued  the  collection  of  the  revenue,  and  added 
the  proceeds  to  the  "  civil  fund,"  using  that  fund  for 
the  necessary  expenses  of  the  civil  government.  The 
expenses  of  employing  civil  officers  in  this  country 
are  very  great ;  and  as  I  have  no  authority  to  lay 
taxes,  this  fund  forms  my  only  means  of  carrying  on 
the  government.  The  necessity  of  employing  these 
officers,  and  of  paying  them  the  full  salaries  authorized 
!  y  law  under  the  existing  state  of  affairs,  is  too  ok 


360  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

viou*  to  require  comment.  I  have  pledged  myself  to 
pay  these  salaries  from  the  "  civil  fund,"  unless  for- 
bidden to  do  so  by  direct  orders  from  Washington ; 
and  that  pledge  will  be  fulfilled.  This  "  civil  fund" 
was  commenced  in  the  early  part  of  1847,  and  has 
been  formed  and  used  in  the  manner  pointed  out  in 
the  early  instructions  to  the  governor  of  the  Terri- 
tory. This  money  has  been  collected  and  disbursed 
by  the  "  Governor  of  California"  and  by  those  ap- 
pointed by  him  in  virtue  of  his  office.  He  is,  there- 
fore, the  person  responsible  for  this  money,  both  to 
the  government  and  to  the  parties  from  whom  it  is 
collected,  and  it  can  be  expended  only  on  his  orders. 
None  of  the  military  departments  of  the  army,  nor 
any  army  officer  simply  in  virtue  of  his  commission, 
can  have  any  control,  direct  or  indirect,  over  it.  It  is 
true  that  some  of  this  money  has,  from  time  to  time,  as 
the  wants  of  the  service  required,  been  transferred  to 
the  different  military  departments ;  but  this  transfer 
was  in  the  form  of  a  loan,  and  the  money  so  trans- 
ferred will  be  returned  to  the  "  civil  fund"  as  soon  as 
arrangements  can  be  made  for  that  purpose.  The  in- 
creased expenditures  for  the  support  of  the  existing 
government  will  soon  render  the  restoration  absolutely 
necessary ;  especially  as  the  transfer  of  the  custom- 
houses to  the  regular  collectors  appointed  by  the 
general  government,  will  now  cut  off  all  further  means 
of  supplying  the  civil  treasury.  These  collectors  have 
not  yet  arrived,  but  are  daily  expected. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

BENNET  RILEY, 
Brevet  Brig.  G-en.  U.  8.  Army, 

and  Governor  of  California. 

Major-General  R.  JONES, 

Adjutant-General  of  the  Army,  Washington,  D.  OL 


BISTORT  OF  CALIFORNIA,  361 

The  following  official  despatch  of  General  Persifor 
F.  Smith,  contains  an  opinion  of  the  position  of  San 
Francisco  totally  different  from  that  of  the  numerous 
California  tourists.  It  is  a  valuable  opinion,  never- 
theless, and  led  to  the  selection  of  the  town  of  Benicia, 
on  the  Straits  of  Karquinez,  as  a  military  and  naval 
station. 

HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  DIVISION, 
San  Francisco,  April  5,  1849. 

GENERAL  : — Since  my  last  communication  no  troops 
have  arrived  to  change  the  strength  of  the  force  here ; 
but  the  steam  transport  Edith  arrived  on  the  21st  of 
March,  and  reports  that  the  transports  Iowa  and 
Massachusetts,  the  former  having  General  Riley  with 
a  part  of  the  2d  infantry,  and  the  latter  having  the 
command  of  artillery  for  Oregon  on  hoard,  left  Val- 
paraiso about  the  8th  of  February.  The  former  is 
expected  here  every  day,  and  the  Edith  is  held  in 
readiness  to  convey  the  troops  south  to  the  position 
they  are  to  occupy. 

There  will  be  great  difficulty  in  establishing  and 
maintaining  a  post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Gila, 
until  more  knowledge  is  acquired  of  the  naviga- 
tion of  the  head  of  the  gulf  of  California  and  the 
lower  part  of  the  Colorado.  Transportation  by  land 
from  San  Diego  is  impossible  for  large  quantities 
of  stores. 

In  the  gulf,  the  winds  blow  in  the  winter  almost 
invariably  from  the  northward ;  and  in  the  summer, 
when  they  come  occasionally  from  southward,  it 
is  in  violent  gales,  with  severe  squalls  and  thun- 
der, rendering  it  very  dangerous  to  be  in  the 
golf  then.  In  other  words,  it  i*  always  difficult  tc 


362  HISTORY   OP   OALUTOBNIA. 

run  up  the  gulf,  but  almost  always  easy  to  run  south 
These  circumstances  render  the  employment  of  steam 
vessels  very  advantageous.  If  the  navigation  of  the 
gulf  permits  the  Edith  to  be  used  ahe  will  answer, 
having  both  sails  and  steam.  If  sne  draws  too  much 
water,  others  of  lighter  draught  could  be  procured. 
I  mention  this  now,  as  the  boundary  commission  will 
commence  their  labors  on  this  end  of  the  line,  and 
will  be  on  the  Gila  next  season.  I  should  have  ob- 
served that  the  Colorado  is  supposed  to  be  navigable 
only  for  boats  drawing  three  or  four  feet. 

I  see  no  reason  for  posting  troops  on  any  other 
point  out  of  reach  of  the  ports  on  the  Pacific.  The 
Indians  in  the  interior  do  not  make  it  necessary,  and 
it  would  be  useless  to  place  them  near  the  mines  to 
maintain  order  there.  Nothing  but  the  establishment 
of  a  regular  civil  government,  to  be  carried  on  by 
those  most  interested  in  the  existence  of  good  order, 
will  answer  that  end. 

Such  detachments  as  go  to  the  southern  part  of  the 
Territory  will  accordingly  be  placed,  as  heretofore 
mentioned,  in  healthy  an?l  convenient  positions,  and 
those  on  this  bay  at  such  points  as  will  combine  good 
climate,  convenience  of  supply,  and  facility  of  move- 
ment. I  propose,  when  such  a  point  is  found,  to  have 
removed  all  the  public  stores  there,  both  from  this 
place  and  Monterey,  leaving  the  heavy  ordnance  and 
stores. 

The  town  of  San  Francisco  is  no  way  fitted  for 
military  or  commercial  purposes ;  there  is  no  harbor, 
a  bad  landing-place,  bad  water,  no  supplies  of  pro- 
visions, an  inclement  climate,  and  it  is  cut  off  from 
the  rest  of  the  country,  except  by  a  long  circuit 
around  the  southern  extremity  of  the  bay.  In 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  363 

of  war,  enemies'  troops  could  be  landed  for  many 
miles  south  of  the  entrance  of  the  bay  on  the  sea 
beach,  and  thus  cut  it  off  by  a  short  line  across  the 
peninsula  on  which  it  stands.  There  are  points  on 
the  bay,  more  inland,  having  good  harbors  and  land- 
ings, good  water,  and  open  to  the  whole  country  in 
rear,  and  accessible  without  difficulty  to  ships  of  the 
largest  class.  One  of  these  should  be  the  point  at 
which  the  future  depots  should  be  established ;  and  I 
propose  to  go  to-morrow  in  the  Edith,  in  company  with 
Commodore  Jones  and  other  officers  of  the  army  and 
navy,  to  examine  tbe  straits  of  Karquinez,  said  to 
combine  most  advantages.  I  hope  to  return  and 
report  the  result  of  our  examination  before  the  next 
mail  boat  leaves,  (on  Monday,  9th,)  but  at  any  rate 
by  the  succeeding  boat,  a  few  days  afterwards. 

I  hope  that  in  fixing  the  port  of  entry,  capital,  or 
other  public  places,  the  law  will  leave  to  the  President 
the  selection;  otherwise,  private  interests  already 
involved  in  speculation  here,  will,  by  misrepresenta- 
tion, lead  to  a  very  bad  choice. 

If  Congress  has  not  provided  by  law  for  the  govern- 
ment of  this  Territory,  or  its  admission  as  a  State,  I 
would  be  very  glad  that  the  government  would  official- 
ly promulgate  its  views  as  to  the  civil  authority  now 
exercised  here.  Some  important  questions  of  law, 
involving  both  life  and  property,  are  now  depending ; 
and  judges  and  jurors,  without  experience  in  these 
difficult  questions,  are  called  upon  to  act  under  great 
responsibility. 

It  appears  to  be  the  opinion  of  merchants  in  many 
of  the  ports  of  the  Pacific — and  they  allege  in  sup- 
port of  it  the  advice  of  some  of  our  consuls — that  in 
virtue  of  the  circular  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 


3fi4  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

of  October  80,  as  the  Treasury  Department  could  not 
collect  duties  on  imports  in  California,  their  goods, 
though  dutiable,  could  be  imported  without  paying 
duty.  I  have  held  that  this  was  not  the  construction 
proper  to  be  given  to  the  circular,  but  only  that  the 
law  had  not  provided  the  means  of  collecting  duties 
here,  that  law  being  still  in  force  which  prohibits  cer- 
tain goods  being  introduced  into  the  United  States, 
unless  they  pay  duties  as  prescribed ;  that  conse- 
quently no  dutiable  goods  can  be  landed  in  California 
unless  they  shall  have  paid  their  duties  elsewhere — the 
eifect  of  which  would  be,  that  they  could  not  be  ad- 
mitted at  all  from  foreign  ports. 

Under  the  circumstances,  which  showed  a  very  hard 
case,  I  thought  it  proper  that  the  parties  should  be 
allowed  to  deposit  the  amount  of  duties  and  land  the 
goods;  but,  lest  this  should  be  construed  as  giving 
them  a  right  for  the  future,  and  as  the  president  may 
think  proper  to  put  an  end  to  this  indulgence,  I  have 
addressed  a  circular  to  all  our  consuls  on  these  seas, 
warning  them  of  this  possibility — a  copy  of  which  is 
inclosed. 

I  was  directed,  when  coming  here,  by  the  Secretary 
of  War,  to  do  all  I  could  to  facilitate  the  arrival  of 
the  civil  officers  of  government  in  Oregon,  as  the 
public  service  required  their  presence  there.  The 
steamer  in  which  we  came  here  could  go  no  farther 
north,  and  there  was  no  possible  way  of  those  gentle- 
men getting  there,  except  on  a  small  vessel  about  sail- 
ing, on  which  there  were  no  accommodations. 

Commodore  Jones  kindly  sent  carpenters  from  the 
fleet  to  put  up  some  berths,  and  on  General  Adair's 
(the  collector's)  representation,  that  no  bedding  could 
be  procured,  I  directed  the  quartermaster  to  issue  him 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFOKNIA.  365 

the  necessary  number  of  blankets  for  the  voyage,  and 
take  his  receipt  for  them.  I  respectfully  ask  that 
this  may  be  approved,  and  the  amount  charged  to 
General  Adair.  The  quartermaster  could  not  tell  him 
the  price  of  the  blankets  when  he  took  them. 

As  the  rainy  season  has  ended,  people  are  again 
repairing  to  the  mines.  New  discoveries  farther 
south  are  said  to  have  been  made ;  and  it  is  now 
pretty  certain  that  the  whole  slope  of  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vada, comprised  within  the  head  waters  of  the  San 
Joaquin  to  the  south  and  those  of  the  Sacramento  to 
the  north,  contains  gold.  These  two  rivers,  forming, 
as  it  were,  a  bracket,  join  to  enter  the  bay  of  San 
Francisco ;  and  their  tributaries  from  the  east,  in 
their  beds,  expose  the  deposits  of  gold  as  they  descend 
from  the  mountains.  It  is  on  the  banks  and  branches 
of  these  streams  that  adventurers  are  now  at  work  ; 
but  some  excavations  elsewhere,  to  a  depth  equal  to 
that  worn  by  the  creeks,  have  disclosed  quantities  simi- 
lar to  those  most  generally  found.  There  appears  to 
be  a  line  parallel  to  the  summit  of  the  main  ridge, 
and  some  distance  down  the  slope,  at  which  the  pro- 
duct of  gold  is  at  its  maximum ;  but  whether  this  be 
from  the  quantity  deposited,  or  from  the  different 
position  as  relates  to  the  surface,  or  from  the  diffi- 
culty of  working  it,  I  have  not  the  means  of  knowing 

The  gold  is  found  in  small  particles :  the  largest  I  have 
seen,  but  such  are  rare,  weighs  seventy-one  ounces  troy. 
The  appearance  invariably  Is  as  though  it  had  been 
spurted  up  when  melted  through  crevices  and  fissures 
in  drops,  which  have  often  the  form  of  the  leaves  and 
gravel  on  which  they  have  fallen.  I  speak  of  this 
as  an  appearance,  not  as  a  theory  or  hypothesis.  The 
extent  ascertained  within  which  gold  is  thus  found  in 


366  'HISTORY    OF    CALIFtiNIA. 

at  least  four  hundred  miles  long  by  forty  wide ;  in  al* 
most  every  part  of  which,  where  the  surface  is  de- 
pressed by  the  beds  of  rivers,  gold  has  been  obtained 
without  digging  more  than  ten  feet  below  the  surface, 
and  very  seldom  that  much. 

It  is  impossible  to  furnish  any  grounds  for  estima- 
ting the  number  f  people  engaged  in  mining,  or  the 
amount  they  have  produced.  Persons  engaged  in 
trading  with  the  miners  say  they  amount  to  about  ten 
thousand,  but  I  cannot  say  with  what  reason.  They 
can  better  judge  of  the  amount  produced,  which  the 
lowest  estimate  places  at  $4,000,000.  More  than 
three  thousand  persons  have  been  added  to  the  miners 
up  to  this  time, — chiefly  from  Mexico  and  South 
America. 

When  the  mines  were  first  discovered,  all  the  ports 
of  South  America  on  the  Pacific,  and  of  the  Sand- 
wich islands,  sent  the  merchandise  collected  and  stored 
there  to  be  sold  here.  They  realized  enormous  profits, 
before  any  competition  from  our  eastern  States  could 
meet  them ;  and  these  goods  were  generally  owned  by 
European  houses,  who  thus  became  possessed  of  the 
first  fruits  of  the  mines,  which  were  shipped  to  Eu- 
rope on  their  account;  and  it  is  thus  that  so  little 
gold  has  reached  the  United  States. 

When  the  merchandise  now  on  its  way  from  our  At- 
lantic States  arrives,  and  is  sold,  the  current  will  set 
that  way ;  but  the  profits  will  be  much  diminished  by 
competition,  and  still  more  by  the  enormous  expenses 
here  for  labor,  storage,  &c.  These  are  almost  incredi- 
ble ;  the  ordinary  wages  for  the  poorest  laborer  is  $6 
per  day ;  many  receive  $10. 

The  extent  and  richness  of  the  gold  region  hare 
not  been  exaggerated ;  and  the  exorbitant  prices  paid 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 


367 


for  labor,  rent,  and  subsistence,  have  hardly  been 
fully  set  forth.  But  all  the  estimates  of  the  amount 
actually  produced  are  but  mere  suppositions,  which 
may  surpass  or  may  fall  short  of  the  truth. 

I  have  already  directed  that  the  men  to  whom  their 
commanding  officers  may  give  short  leaves  of  absence 
may  bo  employed  by  the  quartermasters  at  the  usual 
rates  here.  This  will  be  an  encouragement  to  the 
men  and  an  advantage  to  the  public  service,  as  labor 
is  hard  to  get.  But  I  doubt  the  propriety  of  yielding 
to  the  current  of  gold-seeking,  and  allowing  large 
bodies  of  the  men  to  go  to  the  mines.  It  may  be 
permitted  to  reward  good  conduct,  as  any  other  indul- 
gence is ;  but  to  make  it  general,  would  be  either  to 
acknowledge  the  right  of  the  men  to  modify  their 
obligations  as  they  please,  or  to  confess  our  inability 
to  enforce  their  fulfilment.  For  the  sake  of  principle 
and  preciseness,  it  would  be  better  to  adhere  to  what 
is  right  now,  though  the  effect  here  in  this  particular 
instance  would  be  the  desertion  of  the  men. 
I  am,  with  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

PERSIFOR  F.  SMITH, 

Brevet  Major- General,  commanding  3d  Division 
Brigadier-General  R.  JONES, 

Adjutant-  General, 

IT  31 


368  HISTORY   OF   CALIFOBNIA. 

APPENDIX  F. 

The  following  despatch  contains  instructions  to  Gen- 
eral Kearny  concerning  the  conquest  of  California, 
contained  in  a  despatch  from  the  Secretary  of  War, 
marked  confidential.  But  a  portion  of  these  instruc- 
tions were  carried  out,  in  consequence  of  the  antici- 
pation of  the  conquest  by  Commodore  Stockton  and 
Colonel  Fremont. 

[Confidential] 

WAR  IJEIARTMENT, 

Washington,  June  3,  1846. 

Sm:  I  herew:cn  send  you  a  copy  of  my  letter  to 
the  governoi  <~A  Missouri  for  an  additional  force  of 
one  thousand  mounted  men. 

The  object  of  thus  adding  to  the  force  under  your 
command  is  not,  as  you  will  perceive,  fully  set  forth 
in  that  letter,  for  the  reason  that  it  is  deemed  prudent 
that  it  should  not,  at  this  time,  become  a  matter  of 
public  notoriety ;  but  to  you  it  is  proper  and  neces- 
sary that  it  should  be  stated. 

It  has  been  decided  by  the  President  to  be  of  the 
greatest  importance  in  the  pending  war  with  Mexico 
to  take  the  earliest  possession  of  Upper  California. 
An  expedition  with  that  view  is  hereby  ordered,  and 
you  are  designated  to  command  it.  To  enable  you  to 
be  in  sufficient  force  to  conduct  it  successfully,  this 
additional  force  of  a  thousand  mounted  men  has  been 
provided,  to  follow  you  in  the  direction  of  Santa  Fe, 
to  be  under  your  orders  or  the  officer  you  may  leave 
in  command  at  Santa  Fe. 

It  cannot  be  determined  how  far  this  additional 
force  will  be  behind  that  designed  for  the  Santa  Fe 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  3f?9 

expedition,  but  it  will  not  probably  be  more  than  a 
few  weeks.  When  you  arrive  at  Santa  Fe  with  the 
force  already  called,  and  shall  have  taken  possession 
of  it,  you  may  find  yourselves  in  a  condition  to  garri- 
son it  with  a  small  part  of  your  command  (as  the 
additional  force  will  soon  be  at  that  place),  and  with 
the  remainder  press  forward  to  California.  In  that 
case  you  will  make  such  arrangements  as  to  being 
followed  by  the  reinforcement  before  mentioned,  as  in 
your  judgment  may  be  deemed  safe  and  prudent.  I 
need  not  say  to  you  that  in  case  you  conquer  Santa 
Fe,  (and  with  it  will  be  included  the  department  or 
state  of  New  Mexico),  it  will  be  important  to  provide 
for  retaining  safe  possession  of  it.  Should  you  deem 
it  prudent  to  have  still  more  troops  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  objects  herein  designated,  you  will 
lose  no  time  m  communicating  your  opinion  on  that 
point,  and  all  others  connected  with  the  enterprise,  to 
this  department.  Indeed,  you  are  hereby  authorized 
to  make  a  direct  requisition  for  it  upon  the  governor 
of  Missouri. 

It  is  known  that  a  large  body  of  Mormon  emigrants 
are  en  route  to  California  for  the  purpose  of  settling 
in  that  country.  You  are  desired  to  use  all  proper 
means  to  have  a  good  understanding  with  them,  to 
the  end  that  the  United  States  may  have  their  co- 
operation in  taking  possession  of  and  holding  that 
country.  It  has  been  suggested  here  •  that  many  of 
these  Mormons  would  willingly  enter  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  and  aid  us  in  our  expedition 
against  California.  You  are  hereby  authorized  to 
muster  into  service  such  as  can  be  induced  to  volun- 
teer ;  not,  however,  to  a  number  exceeding  one-third 
of  your  entire  force.  Should  they  enter  the  servic* 


370  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

they  will  be  paid  as  other  volunteers,  and  you  can  allow 
them  to  designate,  so  far  as  it  can  be  properly  done, 
the  persons  to  act  as  officers  thereof.  It  is  under- 
stood that  a  considerable  number  of  American  citizens 
are  now  settled  on  the  Sacramento  River,  near  Suiter'* 
establishment,  called  "Nueva  Helvetia,"  who  are 
well  disposed  towards  the  United  States.  Should 
you,  on  your  arrival  in  the  country,  find  this  to  be 
the  true  state  of  things  there,  you  are  authorized  to 
organize  and  receive  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  such  portion  of  these  citizens  as  you  may  think 
useful  to  aid  you  to  hold  the  possession  of  the  coun- 
try. You  will  in  that  case  allow  them,  so  far  as 
you  shall  judge  proper,  to  select  their  own  offi- 
cers. A  large  discretionary  power  is  invested  in 
you  in  regard  to  these  matters,  as  well  as  to  all 
others,  in  relation  to  the  expeditions  confided  to  your 
command. 

The  choice  of  routes  by  which  you  will  enter  Cali- 
fornia will  be  left  to  your  better  knowledge  and 
ampler  means  of  getting  accurate  information.  We 
are  assured  that  a  southern  route  (called  the  caravan 
route,  by  which  the  wild  horses  are  brought  from  that 
country  into  New  Mexico)  is  practicable,  and  it  is 
suggested  as  not  improbable  that  it  can  be  passed 
over  in  the  winter  months,  or  at  least  late  in  autumn. 
It  is  hoped  that  this  information  may  prove  to  be 
correct. 

In  regard  to  the  routes,  the  practicability  of  pro- 
curing needful  supplies  for  men  and  animals,  and 
transporting  baggage,  is  a  point  to  be  well  considered. 
Should  the  President  be  disappointed  in  his  cherished 
hope  that  you  will  be  able  to  reach  the  interior  of 
Upper  California  before  winter,  you  are  then  desired 


HIPTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  °,7l 

to  make  the  best  arrangement  you  can  for  sustaining 
your  forces  during  the  winter,  and  for  an  early  move- 
ment in  the  spring.  Though  it  is  very  desirable  that 
the  expedition  should  reach  California  this  season, 
(and  the  President  does  not  doubt  you  will  make 
every  possible  effort  to  accomplish  this  object),  yet 
if,  in  your  judgment,  it  cannot  be  undertaken  with 
a  reasonable  prospect  of  success,  you  will  defer 
it,  as  above  suggested,  until  spring.  You  are  left 
unembarrassed  by  any  specific  directions  in  this 
matter. 

It  is  expected  that  the  naval  forces  of  the  United 
States  which  are  now,  or  will  soon  be  in  the  Pacific, 
will  be  in  possession  of  all  the  towns  on  the  seacoast, 
and  will  co-operate  with  you  in  the  conquest  of  Cali- 
fornia. Arms,  ordnance,  munitions  of  war,  and  pro- 
visions to  be  used  in  that  country,  will  be  sent  by 
sea  to  our  squadron  in  the  Pacific  for  the  use  of  the 
land  forces. 

Should  you  conquer  and  take  possession  of  New 
Mexico  and  Upper  California,  or  considerable  places 
in  either,  you  will  establish  temporary  civil  govern- 
ments therein — abolishing  all  arbitrary  restrictions 
that  may  exist,  so  far  as  it  may  be  done  with  safety. 
In  performing  this  duty,  it  would  be  wise  and  prudent 
to  continue  in  their  employment  all  such  of  the  exist- 
ing officers  as  are  known  to  be  friendly  to  the  United 
States,  and  will  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  them. 
The  duties  at  the  custom-house  ought  at  once  to  be 
reduced  to  such  a  rate  as  may  be  barely  sufficient  to 
maintain  the  necessary  officers,  without  yielding  any 
revenue  to  the  government.  You  may  assure  the 
people  of  those  provinces,  that  it  is  the  wish  and  de» 
sign  of  the  United  States  to  provide  for  them  a  fre« 


372  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

government  with  the  least  possible  delay,  similar  to 
that  which  exists  in  our  territories.  They  will  then 
be  called  on  to  exercise  the  rights  of  freemen  in 
electing  their  own  representatives  to  the  territorial 
legislature.  It  is  foreseen  that  what  relates  to  the 
civil  government  will  be  a  difficult  and  unpleasant 
part  of  your  duty,  and  much  must  necessarily  be  left 
to  your  own  discretion.  In  your  whole  conduct  you 
will  act  in  such  a  manner  as  best  to  conciliate  the  in- 
habitants and  render  them  friendly  to  the  United 
States. 

It  is  desirable  that  the  usual  trade  between  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States  and  the  Mexican  pro- 
vinces should  be  continued,  as  far  as  practicable, 
under  the  changed  condition  of  things  between  the 
two  countries.  In  consequence  of  extending  your 
expedition  into  California,  it  may  be  proper  that  you 
should  increase  your  supply  for  goods  to  be  distributed 
as  presents  to  the  Indians.  The  United  States  super- 
intendent of  Indian  affairs  at  St.  Louis  will  aid  you 
in  procuring  these  goods.  You  will  be  furnished  with 
a  proclamation  in  the  Spanish  language,  to  be  issued 
by  you  and  circulated  among  the  Mexican  people  on 
your  entering  into  or  approaching  their  country. 
You  will  use  your  utmost  endeavors  to  have  the 
pledges  and  promises  therein  contained  carried  out  to 
the  utmost  extent. 

I  am  directed  by  the  President  to  say  that  the  rank 
of  brevet  brigadier-general  will  be  conferred  on  you 
as  soon  as  you  commence  your  movement  towards 
California,  and  sent  round  to  you  by  sea  or  over  the 
country,  or  to  the  care  of  the  commandant  of  our 
squadron  in  the  Pacific.  In  that  way  cannon,  arms. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  373 

ammunition,  and  supplies  for  the  land  forces  will  be 
sent  to  you. 

Very  resp^ctfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
W.  L.  MARCY, 
Secretary  of  War. 
Colonel  S.  W.  KEARNY. 

Fort  Leavenworth,  Missouri. 


APPENDIX  G. 

The  particulars  of  the  conquest  of  Upper  Cali 
fornia,  as  well  as  the  suppression  of  the  insurrections, 
we  have  already  given  in  substance  as  they  are  in  the 
despatches  of  General  Kearny  and  Commodore  Stock- 
ton. But  we  have  said  nothing  of  the  transactions 
in  the  Peninsula,  as  that  afterwards  was  surrendered 
to  Mexico.  All  that  is  interesting  in  the  conquest  of 
Lower  California,  will  be  found  in  the  following 
despatches  from  the  commander  of  the  New  York 
regiment  of  volunteers,  which  with  a  number  of 
marines  were  the  only  troops  employed  in  that  quar- 
ter. We  premise,  that,  after  the  United  States 
marines  had  taken  San  Jose*,  the  natives  rose,  and 
they  were  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  taking  refuge 
in  an  old  fort,  or  cuartel,  in  the  town. 

BARRACKS,  LOWER  CALIFORNIA, 

San  Jose,  February  20,  1848. 
SlR :  I  continue  my  report  from  the  22d  ultimo, 
from  which  time  my  force  consisted  of  twenty-seven 
marines  and  fifteen  seamen,  of  whom  five  were  on  the 
sick  report,  besides  some  twenty  volunteers,  Califor- 
nians,  who  at  least  served  to  swell  the  numbers.  From 


8T4  HISTORY    OP   CALIFORNIA. 

that  date  the  enemy  were  continually  in  sight  of  us, 
intercepting  all  communication  with  the  interior,  and 
driving  off  all  the  cattle  from  the  neighborhood.  A 
party  of  our  men  who  went  out  to  endeavor  to  obtain 
cattle,  were  driven  in  and  narrowly  escaped  being  cut 
off.  We  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  few  cows,  however, 
which  were  very,  necessary  to  us  in  the  reduced  state 
of  our  provisions,  as,  in  addition  to  our  garrison,  we 
were  obliged,  in  humanity,  to  sustain  some  fifty  women 
and  children  of  the  poor,  who  sought  our  protection 
in  the  greatest  distress.  I  found  it  necessary,  as 
soon  as  our  fresh  beef  was  consumed,  to  put  all  hands 
on  half  allowance  of  salt  provisions.  We  had  no 
bread.  On  the  4th  of  February,  the  enemy  closed 
around  us  more,  and  commenced  firing  upon  all  who 
showed  themselves  at  our  port-holes,  or  above  the 
parapets.  On  the  morning  of  the  6th  the  enemy  ap- 
peared to  be  a  little  scattered,  a  considerable  force 
being  seen  riding  about  some  distance  from  the  town, 
and  at  the  same  time  a  strong  party  of  them  posted 
at  the  lower  end  of  the  street  were  keeping  up  an 
annoying  fire  upon  us.  I  judged  this  a  favorable 
opportunity  to  make  a  sortie  upon  them,  and  taking 
twenty-five  men  with  me,  closed  with  them  and  dis- 
lodged them,  driving  them  into  the  hills  without  the 
loss  of  a  man  on  our  part,  and  returned  to  the  cuarteL 
On  the  morning  of  the  7th  it  was  reported  to  me  that 
the  enemy  had  broken  into  the  houses  on  the  main 
street,  and  there  was  some  property  exposed  which 
might  be  secured.  I  took  a  party  of  men  and  went 
down  and  brought  up  a  number  of  articles  belonging 
to  the  Calif ornians,  who  were  in  the  cuartel;  some 
distant  firing  took  place,  but  no  injury  was  sustained. 
On  the  same  day,  hearing  there  were  some  stores  of 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  87K 

rice  and  tobacco  in  a  house  some  three  hundred  yards 
down  the  main  street,  I  determined  upon  an  effort  to 
obtain  them,  and  sallied  out  with  thirty  men :  these 
were  immediately  fired  upon  from  several  different 
quarters,  and  some  fighting  ensued,  resulting  in  the 
death  of  one  of  my  volunteers — shot  through  the 
heart.  "We  charged  down  the  end  of  the  street,  and 
drove  the  enemy  to  the  cover  of  a  cornfield  at  the 
outside  of  the  town,  where  they  were  considerably 
reinforced,  and  recommenced  a  hot  fire ;  but  we  were 
enabled  to  save  a  part  of  the  articles  which  we  were 
in  search  of,  though  we  found  that  the  enemy  had  an- 
ticipated us  in  this  object,  having  forced  the  building 
from  the  rear.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  following 
day,  Ritchie's  schooner,  having  provisions  for  us  from 
La  Paz,  came  in  sight  and  anchored,  but  a  canoe 
which  was  enticed  toward  the  shore  by  a  white  flag 
displayed  by  the  enemy,  was  fired  upon,  and  the 
schooner  immediately  got  under  way. 

On  the  10th  the  enemy  had  entire  possession  of  the 
town :  they  had  perforated  with  port-holes  all  the  ad- 
jacent houses  and  walls,  occupying  the  church,  and, 
hoisting  their  flag  on  Galindo's  house,  ninety  yards  dis- 
tant, held  a  high  and  commanding  position,  which  ex- 
posed our  back  yard  and  the  kitchen  to  a  raking  fire> 
which  from  this  time  forth  was  almost  incessant  from 
all  quarters  upon  us,  the  least  exposure  of  person  creat- 
ing a  target  for  fifty  simultaneous  shots.  The  enemy 
appeared  to  have  some  excellent  rifles,  among  other 
arms ;  and  some  of  them  proved  themselves  tolerably 
sharp  shooters,  sending  their  balls  continually  through 
our  port-holes.  On  the  llth  the  fire  was  warm,  but 
on  our  part  it  was  rarely  that  we  could  get  a  sight  of 
them.  In  the  afternoon  of  this  day  we  had  to  lament 
U* 


376  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

the  deatl  of  Passed  Midshipman  McLanahan,  attached 
to  the  Uiited  States  ship  Cyane ;  a  ball  striking  him 
in  the  right  side  of  the  neck,  a  little  below  the  thyroid 
cartilage,  lodged  in  the  left  shoulder.  He  died  in 
about  two  hours.  He  was  a  young  officer  of  great 
promise,  energetic,  of  much  forethought  for  his  age, 
and  brave  to  temerity.  All  lamented  his  untimely 
late,  and  all  bear  willing  testimony  to  his  worth. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  at  daylight,  we  dis- 
covered that  the  enemy  had  thrown  up  a  breastwork 
upon  the  sand,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  to 
the  north-east  of  the  cuartel,  and  entirely  command- 
ing our  watering  place.  We  fired  several  round  shot 
»t  it,  with  little  effect.  We  succeeded  in  getting  in 
Deing  in  strong  force,  and  kept  a  close  watch  upon  us. 
Yheir  force  was  over  three  hundred,  speaking  within 
bounds.  I  immediately  commenced  digging  a  well  in 
the  rear  of  Mott's  house,  which  is  the  lowest  ground. 
£  found  that  we  had  to  go  through  rock,  and  judged 
*e  should  have  to  dig  about  twenty  feet.  I  thought 
it  imprudent  to  blast,  as  the  enemy,  suspecting  our 
intention,  would  throw  every  obstacle  in  our  way.  The 
men  worked  cheerfully  on  this  and  the  succeeding 
day  against  all  difficulties.  Our  situation  was  becom- 
ing now  an  imminently  critical  one,  having  with  the 
greatest  economy  but  four  days'  water.  On  the  14th 
we  continued  digging  for  water.  We  found  that  the 
enemy  had  thrown  up  a  second  breastwork  more  to 
the  westward,  giving  them  a  cross-fire  upon  our  water- 
ing place :  there  was  a  continual  fire  kept  up  upon  the 
euartel  during  the  day.  At  three  o'clock,  30  minutes 
P.  M.,  a  sail  was  reported  in  sight,  which  proved  to  be 
the  United  Ship  Cyane.  She  anchored  after  BUD 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  "77 

It  was  of  course  a  joyful  sight  to  us  to  see 
friends  so  near ;  but  I  was  apprehensive  that  they 
could  render  us  but  little  assistance,  the  enemy  being 
so  vastly  superior  in  numbers.  The  enemy  continued 
their  firing  upon  us  during  the  night.  On  the  15tli  at 
day-light,  we  became  aware  that  the  Cyane  was'landing 
men.  They  soon  commenced  their  advance,  which  for 
a  few  moments  was  opposed  only  by  a  scattering  fire ; 
then  the  enemy  opened  upon  them  in  earnest.  They 
had  concentrated  nearly  their  entire  force  near  San 
Vincente.  We  saw  the  flash  of  musketry  through  all 
the  hills  above  the  village.  There  was  the  odds  of 
three  to  one  against  our  friends.  Steadily  they  came 
on,  giving  back  the  enemy's  fire  as  they  advanced. 
There  was  still  a  party  of  the  enemy  occupying  the 
town,  firing  upon  us.  I  took  thirty  men,  and  sallied 
out  upon  them,  drove  them  from  cover,  killed  one 
and  wounded  several  of  them,  and  marched  out  to 
join  the  Cyane's  men,  who,  with  Captain  Dupont  at 
their  head,  had  now  drawn  quite  near  to  us.  There 
were  small  detached  parties  of  the  enemy  still  hover- 
ing about  them,  and  firing  at  them,  but  the  main  body 
of  the  enemy  had  been  broken,  and  retired  to  "  La3 
Animas,"  distant  two  miles.  The  march  of  the 
Cyane's  men  to  our  relief,  through  an  enemy  so  vastly 
their  superior  in  numbers,  well  mounted  and  possess- 
ing every  advantage  in  knowledge  of  the  ground,  was 
certainly  an  intrepid  exploit,  as  creditably  performed 
as  it  was  skilfully  and  boldly  planned,  and  reflects 
the  greatest  honor  on  all  concerned.  It  resulted  most 
fortunately  for  us  in  our  harassed  situation.  They 
had  but  four  wounded;  thi,!  cannot  be  termed  any 
thing  but  the  most  remarkably  good  luck,  considering 
the  severe  fire  that  this  heroic  little  band  were  ex- 


378  HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA. 

posed  to.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  we  have  not  posi- 
tively ascertained:  we  hear  of  thirteen  killed,  witi 
certainty,  and  general  report  says  thirty-five  ; 
wounded  not  known.  Of  the  total  loss  of  the  enemy 
in  their  attack  upon  the  cuartel,  I  cannot  speak  with 
certainty;  we  have  found  several  graves,  and  know 
of  a  numher  wounded,  one  of  whom  we  have  in  the 
cuartel  a  prisoner.  I  suppose  their  total  loss  to  be 
not  far  from  fifteen  killed,  and  many  wounded ;  I  am 
sure  it  could  not  be  les£  than  this.  Our  own  total 
loss  was  three  killed  and  four  slightly  wounded.  After 
the  death  of  Passed  Midshipman  McLanahan,  there 
remained  but  one  officer  to  my  assistance,  Passed 
Midshipman  George  A.  Stevens,  to  whom,  for  his 
coolness  and  indefatigable  zeal  at  a  time  when  so 
much  devolved  upon  him,  I  am  most  happy  to  accord 
the  highest  credit;  and  at  the  same  time  I  must 
honorably  mention  the  conduct  of  a  volunteer,  Eu- 
gene Gillespie,  Esq.,  who,  although  suffering  from  ill- 
ness, never  deserted  his  post,  and  was  with  me  in  the 
sortie  of  the  7th.  The  non-commissioned  officers  and 
men  went  through  privation,  unceasing  watchfulness, 
and  danger,  without  a  murmur.  I  cannot  express  too 
highly  my  satisfaction  in  their  conduct.  Captain 
Dupont  immediately  upon  his  arrival  here,  becoming 
aware  of  our  situation  as  regards  provisions,  took  mea- 
sures for  our  supply.  The  day  after  the  battle  of  San 
Vincente  he  despatched  a  train,  which  brought  us  by 
hand  (the  enemy  having  driven  off  all  the  mules  and 
horses)  a  quantity  of  stores  and  articles  of  which  we 
stood  most  in  need,  among  the  rest,  bread,  and  has  since 
been  unceasing  in  his  exertions  for  our  relief.  I  cannot 
too  earnestly  express  the  obligations  which  we  areund*T 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  379 

tor  the  prompt  and  efficient  assistance  which  Captaii 
Dupont,  his  officers,  and  crew  have  rendered  us. 
I  am,  sir,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHAS.  HEYWOOD, 
Lieutenant  U.  8.  Navy,  com'a.,  San  Jose. 
Lieut.  Col.  HENRY  S.  BURTON, 
U.  S.  Army,  com'g.  troops  in  Lower  California, 
W.  T.  SHERMAN, 
Firtt  Lieutenant  3d  Artillery,  A.  A.  A.  General* 


UNITED  STATES  BARRACKS, 
La  Paz,  California,  April  13, 1848. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  letter  of  March  1,  1848,  and  to  report  the 
arrival  of  the  army  storeship  "  Isabella"  at  this  place 
on  the  22d  of  March,  1848,  with  Captain  Naglee's 
company  (D)  New  York  volunteers,  and  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  recruits  for  the  detachment  of  New  York 
volunteers  stationed  at  this  place. 

The  rescue  of  the  prisoners  of  war  on  the  15th  ultimo 
caused  great  excitement  among  the  enemy,  and  tended 
very  much  to  disorganize  their  forces,  and  the  import- 
ant arrival  of  the  reinforcements  to  my  command 
determined  me  to  take  the  field  as  soon  as  possible ; 
accordingly,  I  left  this  place  on  the  morning  of  the 
26th  instant  with  two  hundred  and  seventeen  officers 
and  men ;  Lieutenant  Halleck,  United  States  en- 
gineers, acting  chief  of  staff,  and  Passed  Midshipman 
Duncan,  United  States  navy,  temporarily  attached  t* 
the  mounted  portion  of  Captain  Naglee's  command. 


380  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

The  afternoon  of  the  27th,  a  party  of  fifteen  men 
captured,  in  San  Antonio,  Pineda,  the  commander  of 
the  Mexican  forces,  with  his  secretary,  Serrano. 

The  morning  of  the  29th,  having  received  informa- 
tion that  the  enemy  had  concentrated  their  forces  in 
Todos  Santos,  we  pressed  on  with  all  speed,  fearing 
they  might  evade  us,  by  retreating  towards  Magdalena 
Bay.  The  morning  of  the  30th,  about  ten  o'clock, 
having  received  accurate  information  respecting  the 
enemy,  Captain  Naglee  with  forty-five  mounted  men 
was  despatched  to  intercept  the  road  leading  from 
Todos  Santos  to  Magdalena  Bay,  and,  if  practicable, 
to  attack  the  enemy  in  the  rear  at  the  same  time  our 
main  body  made  its  attack  in  front. 

The  road  leading  from  Todos  Santos  to  La  Paz,  for 
some  distance  before  reaching  the  first  named  place, 
passes  through  a  dense  growth  of  chaparral,  (very 
favorable  for  an  ambush),  and  in  this  the  enemy  made 
their  arrangements  to  receive  us.  We  left  the  road 
about  five  miles  from  Todos  Santos  and  marched  along 
a  ridge  of  high  land  on  the  north  side  of  the  river, 
having  full  view  of  the  enemy's  operations. 

They  then  took  possession  of  a  commanding  lull 
directly  in  our  route,  between  three  and  four  miles 
from  Todos  Santos,  with  their  Indians  in  front.  Com- 
panies A  and  B,  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant 
Halleck,  were  deployed  as  skirmishers  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  expose  the  enemy  to  a  cross-fire.  The  enemy 
opened  their  fire  at  long  distance,  but  our  force  ad- 
vanced steadily,  reserving  their  fire  until  within  good 
musket  range,  when  it  was  delivered  with  great  effect, 
and  the  enemy  retreated  very  rapidly,  after  a  short 
but  sharp  engagement.  At  this  time,  Captain  Naglee 
being  near  Todos  Santos,  and  hearing  the  firing, 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  381 

Attacked  the  enemy  in  rear,  and  after  a  severe  action 
completed  their  dispersion.  Our  men  and  horses  being 
too  much  fatigued  by  their  long  march  to  pursue 
the  scattered  enemy,  we  marched  on  to  Todos  San- 
tos. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  this  engagement  cannot 
be  ascertained  with  any  accuracy;  we  know  of  ten 
killed  and  eight  wounded,  Our  loss  was  nothing  ;  one 
man  and  the  horse  of  Acting  Lieutenant  Scott  were 
slightly  wounded,  the  enemy,  as  usual,  firing  too  high. 

Our  officers  and  men  fully  sustained  the  character 
they  won  on  the  16th  and  27th  o£  November  last. 

My  warmest  thanks  &r&  duejto  Lieutenant  Halleck, 
for  his  assistance  as  chief  of  staff,  and  I  present  him 
particularly  to  the  notice  of  the  colonel  commanding, 
for  the  able  manner  in  which  he  led  on  the  attack  on 
the  30th  ultimo. 

Captain  Naglee  also  deserves  particular  notice  for 
the  energetic  and  successful  manner  in  which  he  ful- 
filled his  instructions. 

On  the  31st  ultimo,  Captain  Naglee,  with  fifty 
mounted  men  of  his  company,  was  ordered  to  pursue 
the  enemy  in  the  direction  of  Magdalena  Bay.  Ho 
returned  to  La  Paz  on  the  12th  instant,  having  pur- 
sued the  enemy  very  closely,  capturing  five  prisoners 
and  some  arms. 

Lieutenant  Halleck  started  for  San  Jose'  with  a 
party  of  mounted  men,  consisting  of  one  officer  and 
twenty-five  non-coinmissioned  officers  and  privates,  on 
the  5th  instant,  for  the  purpose  of  communicating 
with  Captain  Dupont,  commanding  United  States 
sloop-of-war  Cyane.  He  returned  here  on  the  llth 
instant,  having  captured  ten  prisoners  on  his  march, 
and  taken  a  number  of  arms. 


382  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

From  him  I  learn  that  the  naval  force  at  San  Jos6 
have  thirty  odd  prisoners,  and  among  others  "  Mau- 
ricio  Castro,"  the  self-styled  political  chief  of  Lower 
California.  Lieutenant  Selden,  with  a  party  from  the 
Cyane,  made  a  most  opportune  march  on  Santiago, 
where  he  captured  a  number  of  the  enemy  who  had 
fled  from  the  field  of  Todos  Santos.  Castro,  who 
commanded  the  enemy's  forces  in  the  action  of  the 
30th,  was  arrested  near  Maria  Flores  by  the  civil 
authorities  and  delivered  up  to  Lieutenant  Selden. 

During  the  stay  of  our  main  body  at  Todos  Santoa 
fourteen  prisoners  were  captured;  among  them  two 
sons  of  the  reverend  padre  Gabriel  Gronzales,  officers 
of  the  Mexican  forces. 

We  left  Todos  Santos  on  the  5th  instant,  and  arrived 
at  this  place  on  the  7th.  The  result  of  this  short 
campaign  has  been  the  complete  defeat  and  dispersion 
of  the  enemy's  forces. 

We  have  captured  their  chief  and  six  officers,  «»- 
one  hundred  and  three  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates ;  and  others  are  daily  presenting  themselves 
to  the  civil  authorities  in  different  parts  of  the  country. 

The  captured  arms  have  been  given  to  those  ran- 
cheros  known  to  be  friendly  to  the  interests  of  the 
United  States,  for  their  protection. 

I  am,  sir,  with  much  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  S.  BURTON, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  New  York  Volunteers. 

Lieutenant  W.  T.  SHERMAN, 

Act.  Ass.  Adjt.  G-en.  Tenth  Mil.  Dep. 

W.  f .  SHERMAN, 
Firtt  Lieut.  3d  Artillery  A.  A.  A.  General 


HISTORY   OJP   CALIFORNIA.  383 

APPENDIX  I. 

The  following  despatch  from  Governor  Mason,  gives 
an  account  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  Upper  California, 
in  October,  1847 : 

HEADQUARTERS  TENTH  MILITARY  DEPARTMENT, 
Monterey,  California,  October  7,  1847. 

SIR  :  I  returned  from  San  Francisco  yesterday,  and 
found  here  Mr.  Toler,  with  despatches  from  Washing- 
ton, the  receipt  of  which  I  have  the  honor  to  acknow- 
ledge. I  am  also  informed  by  Commodore  Shubrick 
that  the  sloop-of-war  Preble  is  ready  to  sail  for 
Panama,  with  Passed  Midshipman  Wilson  as  bearer 
of  despatches  for  the  United  States.  I  therefore  avaU 
myself  of  the  opportunity  to  send  you  my  letter  of 
the  18th  of  September,  with  its  several  packages,  and 
now  have  to  communicate  the  result  of  my  visit  to 
San  Francisco. 

I  found  the  town  flourishing  and  prosperous,  with  a 
busy,  industrious  population  of  Americans,  and  refer 
you  to  the  copies  of  my  military  correspondence  for  the 
steps  adopted  to  give  them  a- good  town  government. 
The  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  you  are  well  aware,  is  a 
spacious,  elegant  harbor,  susceptible  of  the  most  per- 
fect defence ;  but  as  yet  nothing  has  been  done 
towards  fortifying  it,  or  even  placing  any  of  the  heavy 
guns  in  position  at  the  old  fort.  It  is  found  almost 
impossible  to  get  much  work  out  of  the  volunteers; 
and  all  that  I  can  now  expect  of  the  two  companies 
of  Major  Hardie's  command  will  be  to  improve  their 
quarters  at  the  old  presidio.  This  they  are  at  present 
engaged  upon,  using  lumber  made  at  the  horse  saw- 
mill, under  direction  of  the  assistant  quartermaster, 


38±  HISTORY    OP   OALIFOIlNiA. 

Captain  Folsom.  All  this  labor  is  done  by  the  volun- 
teers, so  that  the  improvements  will  be  made  at  very 
little  expense  to  the  government  The  price  of  lum- 
ber at  San  Francisco  is  §50  per  M. ;  but  Captain 
Folsom  says  that  he  has  it  sawed  and  delivered,  by 
the  labor  of  the  volunteers  and  his  own  machinery,  at 
about  $16.  The  mill  is  placed  in  the  timber  known  as 
the  Red  Woods,  near  the  mission  of  San  Rafael,  on 
the  west  and  north  sides  of  the  bay,  where  any  amount 
can  be  had.  If  the  government  design  to  erect  per- 
manent structures  to  any  extent  in  this  country,  it 
would  be  advisable  to  send  out  a  steam  engine,  with 
all  the  necessary  frames  and  iron-work  to  adapt  it  to 
immediate  use  in  connexion  with  the  saw  and  grist 
mills  now  in  possession  of  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment here.  The  site  at  present  selected  by  Captain 
Folsom  is  well  adapted,  as  easy  water  communication 
is  had  with  the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  Rivers  as 
well  as  the  parts  of  the  country  south  of  San  Francisco. 

At  San  Francisco  I  found  all  the  powder,  arms, 
accoutrements,  and  perishable  ordnance  property  well 
stored  in  a  building  prepared  for  the  purpose  at  the 
presidio  barracks ;  but  the  guns,  mortars,  carriages, 
shot,  and  shells  are  in  the  town  in  the  open  air,  pro- 
tected by  paint  alone.  The  great  difficulty  of  hauling 
euch  articles  over  the  rugged  hills  between  the.  town 
and  presidio  will  prevent  their  being  hauled  to  the 
latter  place  this  season. 

I  did  design  to  continue  my  tour  of  inspection  to 
Sonoma  and  the  Sacramento  River,  but  was  recalled 
by  hearing  of  the  arrival  of  the  bearer  of  despatches 
at  Monterey. 

When  on  my  way  up  to  San  Francisco,  I  was  over- 
taken by  Captain  Brown,  of  the  Mormon  battalion, 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  385 

who  had  arrived  from  Fort  Hall,  where  he  had  left 
his  detachment  of  the  battalion,  to  come  to  California 
to  report  to  me  in  person.  He  brought  a  muster-roll 
of  his  detachment,  with  a  power  of  attorney  from  all 
its  members  to  draw  their  pay  ;  and  as  the  battalion 
itself  had  been  discharged  on  the  16th  of  July,  Pay- 
master Rich  paid  to  Captain  Brown  the  money  due  the 
detachment  up  to  that  date,  according  to  the  rank 
they  bore  upon  the  muster-rolls  upon  which  the  batta- 
lion had  been  mustered  out  of  service.  Captain 
Brown  started  immediately  for  Fort  Hall,  at  which 
place  and  in  the  valley  of  Bear  River  he  said  the 
whole  Mormon  emigration  intended  to  pass  the  winter. 
He  reported  that  he  had  met  Captain  Hunt,  late  of 
the  Mormon  battalion,  who  was  on  his  way  to  meet 
the  emigrants  and  bring  into  the  country  this  winter, 
if  possible,  a  battalion  according  to  the  terms  offered 
in  my  letter  to  him  of  the  16th  of  August,  a  copy  of 
which  you  will  find  among  the  military  correspondence 
of  the  department. 

In  my  letter  I  offered  Captain  Hunt  the  command 
of  the  baHfclion  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel, 
with  an  adjutant;  but  I  find,  by  the  orders  lately 
received,  that  a  battalion  of  four  companies  is  only 
entitled  to  a  major  and  acting  adjutant.  I  will  notify 
Captain  Hunt  of  this  change  at  as  early  a  moment  as 
I  can  communicate  with  him.  I  am  pleased  to  find 
by  the  despatches  that  in  this  matter  Thave  antici- 
pated the  wish  of  the  department. 

Last  season  there  was  a  great  scarcity  of  provisions 
on  the  coast  of  California ;  but  when  the  stores  are 
received  that  are  now  on  their  way,  there  will  be 
an  ample  supply  for  the  coining  winter.-  The  crops  in 
this  country  have  been  very  fine  this  season,  and  at 


386  HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA. 

present  wheat  is  plenty  and  cheap  at  San  Francisco. 
Beef  is  also  plenty.  Beans  can  be  purchased  at  the 
southern  ports,  and  sugar  imported  from  the  Sand- 
wich Islands  ;  but  for  all  other  subsistence  stores  we 
are  dependent  upon  the  South  American  ports  or 
those  of  the  United  States.  I  have  directed  Captain 
Marcy,  acting  commissary  of  subsistence  at  this  post, 
to  supply  the  chief  of  his  department  with  the  market 
price  of  all  kinds  of  provisions,  with  such  other  facts 
as  may  enable  his  department  to  act  with  the  proper 
economy.  The  want  of  good  clothing  for  the  regulars 
and  volunteers  is  already  felt  in  California ;  and  unless 
a  supply  has  already  been  despatched,  many  of  the 
garrisons  will  be  without  shoes  and  proper  .clothing 
this  winter.  The  price  of  such  articles  here  is  so 
exorbitant  as  to  place  them  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
soldiers.  The  volunteer  clothing  brought  by  Sutler 
Haight  has  already  been  disposed  of  to  citizens  and 
soldiers,  and  there  are  no  means  of  his  renewing  the 
supply  except  by  sending  to  the  United  States.  Justice 
to  the  soldier  demands  that  he  either  be  comfortably 
clad  by  the  government,  or  that  it  should  be  within 
his  power  to  clothe  himself  on  the  allowance  provided 
for  that  purpose  by  law. 

I  respectfully  recommend,  if  it  has  not  already  been 
done,  that  a  large  supply  of  infantry  undress  winter 
clothing  be  sent  immediately  to  this  country,  to  be 
distributed,  so  as  to  enable  each  volunteer  to  purchase 
for  his  own  immediate  use  at  cost  prices.  No  summer 
clothing  is  needed,  as  the  climate  is  too  severe,  sum- 
mer and  winter.  Such  articles  as  good  blankets,  cloth 
overcoats,  caps,  jackets,  overalls,  stockings,  and  shoes; 
with  stout  shirts  and  drawers,  are  the  only  ones  thaf 
will  ever  be  needed  here. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  387 

General  orders  No.  10,  of  1847,  promotes  Lieute- 
Loeser,  third  artillery,  and  orders  him  to  join 
h  is  company.  I  regret  that  at  this  moment  his  services 
cinnot  be  spared,  and  I  am  compelled  to  retain  him 
on  duty  with  company  F,  third  artillery,  because  the 
absence  of  Captain  Tompkins,  the  death  of  Lieutenant 
Minor,  and  Lieutenant  Sherman  being  detached  as 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general,  has  reduced  the 
number  of  officers  of  that  company  to  but  two — 
Lieutenants  Ord  and  Loeser.  I  trust  that  the  two 
companies  of  regulars  in  this  country  will  be  kept  with 
a  full  supply  of  officers,  that  an  officer,  upon  being 
promoted,  may  be  enabled  to  join  the  army  in  the 
field,  and  participate  in  the  active  operations  to  which 
he  looks  for  distinction  and  experience. 

Captain  H.  M.  Naglee,  seventh  New  York  volun- 
teers, with  a  strong  detachment  of  his  company,  is 
now  absent  in  pursuit  of  Indians  in  the  valley  of  the 
San  Joaquin.  He  has  with  him  Lieutenant  Burton's 
company  of  California  volunteers,  which  is  expected 
to  return  to  Monterey  before  the  end  of  this  month ; 
in  which  case  I  shall  cause  it  to  be  mustered  out  of 
service,  and  discharged  on  the  31st  day  of  October. 

Again  I  have  to  report  the  death,  by  sickness,  of 
an  officer  of  my  command — Lieutenant  C.  C.  Ander- 
son, seventh  New  York  volunteers,  who  contracted  a 
fever  when  on  duty  at  Fort  Sacramento,  and  died  in 
consequence  at  San  Francisco  on  the  13th  of  Septem- 
ber. He  was  buried  with  military  honors  by  the  troopa 
at  San  Francisco,  under  direction  of  Major  Hardie. 
This  death  reduces  the  number  of  officers  in  Captain 
Brackett's  company,  seventh  regiment  New  York 
volunteers,  to  one  captain  and  one  second  lieutenant- 
Commodore  Shubrick  will  sail  for  the  west  coast  of 


388  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Mexico  from  this  harbor  next  week  ;  and  having  made 
application  to  me,  I  have  directed  Lieutenant  Halleck, 
of  the  engineer  corps,  to  accompany  him,  and  shall 
give  Lieutenant  Colonel  Burton,  in  command  at  La 
Paz,  Lower  California,  authority  to  accompany  Com- 
modore Shubrick,  should  the  latter  design  an  attack 
upon  any  point  or  points  of  the  west  coast  of  Mexico, 
with  orders,  of  course,  to  resume  his  position  at  La 
Paz  as  soon  as  the  object  is  accomplished  for  which 
his  command  is  desired. 

NOTE. — Colonel  Burton  will  be  directed  to  leave  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  at  La  Paz  to  keep  the  flag 
flying. 

It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  assure  the  depart- 
ment that  the  most  perfect  harmony  subsists  between 
the  members  of  the  naval  and  land  forces  on  this  coast, 
and  that  the  most  friendly  intercourse  is  kept  up 
between  the  officers.  I  have  had  frequent  occasion 
myself  to  ask  assistance  of  Commodores  Biddle  and 
Shubrick,  and  my  requests  have  been  granted  with 
promptness  and  politeness ;  and  in  return  I  have 
afforded  them  all  the  assistance  in  my  power.  Our 
consultations  have  been  frequent  and  perfectly  harmo- 
nious, resulting,  I  hope,  in  the  advancement  of  the 
common  cause  of  our  country. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  your  most  obedient  servant! 

R.  B.  MASON, 
Oolonel  1st  Dragoons,  Commanding. 

To  General  R.  JONES, 

Adjutant-General^  Washington,  D.  0. 


HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  389 

APPENDIX  J. 

We  have  already  given  the  substance  of  Governor 
Mason's  despatch  to  the  government,  giving  an  ac- 
count of  the  gold  discovery  and  a  visit  to  the  placers. 
There  is,  therefore,  no  necessity  for  inserting  that 
official  document.  The  appearance  in  Upper  Cali- 
fornia, in  July  1848,  of  Don  Pio  Pico,  the  former  gov- 
ernor of  the  territory,  gave  rise  to  serious  apprehen- 
sions of  another  insurrection.  The  despatch  of  Col. 
Stephenson,  the  commander  of  the  garrison  at  Los 
Angeles,  to  Colonel  Mason,  contains  an  account  of  the 
matter,  together  with  a  description  of  the  ex-governor. 

HEADQUARTERS  SOUTHERN  MILITARY  DISTRICT, 

Los  Angeles,  California,  Jvly  20,  1848. 
SIR  :  By  the  last  mail  I  informed  you  of  the  ar- 
rival of  Don  Pio  Pico  in  this  district.  I  subsequently 
learned  that  he  had  passed  through  San  Diego  with- 
out presenting  himself  to  Captain  Shannon,  or  in  any 
manner  reporting  his  arrival.  Immediately  after  his 
arrival,  rumors  reached  me  of  conversations  had  by 
him  with  his  countrymen,  in  which  he  stated  that  he 
had  returned  with  full  powers  to  resume  his  guberna- 
torial functions,  and  that  he  had  only  to  exhibit  his  cre- 
dentials to  you  to  have  the  civil  government  turned 
over  to  him.  I  found  the  people  becoming  very  much 
excited,  and  some  rather  disposed  to  be  imprudent.  I 
sent  for  Jose  Ant.  Carrillo  and  some  others  in  the 
town,  who  were  giving  currency  to  these  reports,  and 
informed  them  that  I  should  hold  them  responsible 
for  any  imprudent  or  indiscreet  act  of  their  country- 
men, and  that,  at  the  first  appearance  of  any  dis- 
respect to  the  American  authorities,  I  should  arrest 
and  confine  them  in  the  guard-house.  This  had  the 
27 


390  BISTORT    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

effect  to  check  all  excitement  here ;  but  as  Don  Pia 
removed  up  the  country,  the  same  excitement  began 
to  spread  among  the  rancheros.  In  the  mean  time, 
his  brother  Andreas  informed  me  that  he,  Don  Pio, 
would  come  in  and  report  to  me  in  person  in  a  few 
days,  as  soon  as  he  had  recovered  from  the  fatigue 
of  his  journey.  On  Saturday,  the  15th  instant,  he 
reached  the  ranch  of  an  Englishman  named  Work- 
man, some  eighteen  miles  from  here.  This  man  has 
ever  been  hostile  to  the  American  cause  and  interest, 
and  is  just  the  man  to  advise  Pico  not  to  come  in  and 
report  to  me. 

On  Sunday  and  Monday  I  was  advised  that  many 
Californians  had  visited  Pico  at  Workman's,  and  that 
the  same  story  had  been  told  them  of  his  having  re- 
turned to  resume  his  gubernatorial  functions,  &c.,  and 
also  that  he  should  not  report  to  me,  but  go  direct  to 
San  Fernando,  from  whence  he  would  communicate 
with  you.  The  moment  I  became  satisfied  that  he 
intended  to  adopt  this  course,  I  issued  an  order  (copy 
inclosed)  requiring  him  to  report  to  me  immediately 
in  person.  I  sent  my  adjutant  with  a  detachment  of 
men  to  the  ranch  of  Workman  to  deliver  to  Don  Pio 
in  person  a  copy  of  this  order,  with  instructions  to 
bring  him  in  by  force,  in  case  he  refused  or  even 
hesitated  to  obey.  The  adjutant  returned  here  at 
twelve  o'clock  on  Monday  with  information  that  the 
Don  had  left  for  San  Fernando.  I  immediately  de- 
spatched Lieutenant  Davidson  with  a  detachment  of 
dragoons  and  a  copy  of  the  order,  with  instructions 
similar  to  those  given  Adjutant  Bonnycastle.  About 
five  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning  I  received  a  visit 
from  a  gentleman  named  Reed,  living  at  the  mission 
of  San  Gabriel,  who  informed  me  that  Don  Pio  Pice 


HI3TOR5T   OP   CALIFORNIA.  ?,Q\ 

nad  arrived  at  his  house  quite  late  in  the  evening  of 
Monday,  on  his  way  to  San  Fernando.  Reed  inquired 
if  he  did  not  intend  reporting  to  me  in  person ;  he 
answered  in  the  negative ;  when  Reed  assured  him, 
if  he  attempted  to  pass  my  post  without  reporting,  I 
would  cause  him  to  be  arrested,  and  that  he  was 
aware  of  my  being  displeased  at  his  passing  through 
San  Diego  without  reporting  to  the  commandant  of 
that  post.  Don  Pio  Pico,  upon  receiving  this  infor- 
mation, became  alarmed,  and  requested  Reed  to  come 
in  and  see  me,  to  say  he  intended  no  disrespect,  and 
would  come  and  report  at  any  hour  I  would  name. 
Reed  is  a  highly  respectable  man,  and  has  ever  been 
friendly  to  the  American  cause ;  and  I  gave  him  a 
copy  of  the  order  I  had  issued  in  regard  to  Don  Pio, 
requesting  him  to  deliver  it,  and  say  to  Don  Pio,  he 
could  come  in  at  any  hour  he  chose,  within  twenty- 
four  hours.  Accordingly  about  eight  P.  M.,  the  same 
evening,  the  ex-governor  came  in.  He  was  unaccom- 
panied even  by  a  servant,  evidently  desiring  it  should 
not  be  known  he  was  in  town.  I  received  him  kindly, 
told  him  I  had  no  desire  to  treat  him  harshly,  but  that 
the  American  authorities  must  be  respected,  and  if  he 
had  not  come  in  I  should  certainly  have  arrested  him. 
He  informed  me  that  he  left  Guaynas  on  the  22d  of 
May,  crossed  to  Mulige,  which  he  left  for  California 
on  June  third,  and  arrived  at  San  Diego,  July  sixth. 
He  says  that  when  he  left  Guaynas  nothing  had  been 
heard  of  the  action  of  the  Mexican  Congress  upon 
the  treaty,  but  it  was  generally  supposed  it  would  be 
ratified.  He  says  the  Mexican  government  did  not 
answer  any  of  his  communications ;  and  the  moment 
he  saw  the  armistice  published  in  a  newspapsr,  ho 
determined  to  return  home,  as  he  suppowd  .V*  could 


M2  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

return  with  credit,  under  the  stipulations  of  tht 
armistice.  He  brings  with  him  no  other  authority 
for  his  return,  and  says  he  desires  to  live  peaceably, 
and  attend  to  his  private  affairs.  He  denies  ever 
having  said  that  he  came  back  with  powers  to  resume 
his  gubernatorial  functions,  and  that  he  rebuked  such 
of  his  friends  as  he  had  seen  for  their  last  attempt  at 
a  revolution,  and  advises  that  they  remain  quiet  and 
obey  the  laws,  as  no  part  of  the  people  of  the  con- 
quered Mexican  territory  have  been  treated  as  kindly 
as  the  Californians  have  been  by  the  American  au- 
thorities. He  thanked  me  for  my  personal  kindness 
to  his  family  and  countrymen  in  general,  and  said  if 
I  would  permit  him  he  would  go  to  San  Fernando, 
from  whence  he  would  answer  that  part  of  my  order 
which  required  a  written  communication  from  him.  1 
gave  him  permission  to  leave,  and  offered  him  an 
escort,  which  he  thanked  me  for,  but  declined.  Don 
Pio  Pico  is  about  five  feet  seven  inches  high,  corpu- 
lent, very  dark,  with  strongly-marked  African  fea- 
tures ;  he  is,  no  doubt,  an  amiable,  kind  hearted  man, 
who  has  ever  been  the  tool  of  knaves ;  he  does  not 
appear  to  possess  more  intelligence  than  the  rancheros 
generally  do ;  he  can  sign  his  name,  but  I  am  in- 
formed he  cannot  write  a  connected  letter ;  hence,  as 
he  informed  me,  he  would  be  compelled  to  send  for 
his  former  secretary  before  he  could  answer  my  order 
or  communicate  with  you,  which  he  advised  me  he 
intended  doing.  I  have  promised  to  take  charge  of 
and  forward  any  communication  he  may  choose  to 
make  you.  He  left  town  on  Wednesday  morning  very 
early,  as  obscurely  as  he  had  entered  it :  and  those 
who  advised  him  to  assume  the  bombastic  tone  be  did 
upon  his  first  arrival,  have  done  him  irreparable  injury. 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  393 

5or  he  is  now  ridiculed  by  many  who  before  enter- 
tained a  high  respect  for  him. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obe- 
dient servant, 

J.  D.  STEVENSON, 

Colonel  1st  New    York   Regiment,   commanding 
8  M.  District. 
Colonel  R.  B.  MASON, 

1st  U.  Dragoons,  Governor  of  California. 

P.  S. — Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  received  the 
inclosed  note  from  Don  Pio  Pico,  inclosing  a  commu- 
nication to  your  excellency.  In  the  note  of  Don  Pio 
to  me,  you  will  perceive  that  he  is  no  sooner  arrived 
at  San  Fernando  than  he  claims  to  have  returned  to 
California  as  its  Mexican  governor,  to  carry  out  the 
provisions  of  the  armistice.  I  shall  not  answer  his 
note  until  I  have  heard  from  you ;  but  I  shall  keep 
an  eye  on  him,  and  if  I  find  he  is  preaching  sedition, 
I  will  bring  him  in  here  at  short  notice. 

J.  D.  STEVENSON, 

Colonel,  commanding, 
W.  T.  SHERMAN, 
First  Lieutenant  3d  Artillery,  A.  A.  A.  General 


APPENDIX  K. 

On  the  13th  of  April,  1849,  Colonel  Mason  at  his 
own  request,  was  relieved  from  the  post  of  Governor 
of  California,  and  Brigadier-General  Riley  took  his 
place.  The  despatch  of  that  officer,  dated  30th  of 
June,  following  his  assuming  the  duties  of  his  post, 
is  important,  as  containing  an  account  of  the  state  of 
feeling  in  California,  upon  the  subject  of  the  laws  at 


394  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

that  time  in  force,  and  tlie  difficulties  with  varicuf  A» 
semblies  elected  in  the  northern  part  of  the  terri- 
tories. 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT  OF  CALIFORNIA, 
Monterey,  June  30,  1849. 

GENERAL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herein 
copies  of  all  civil  correspondence  and  papers  since 
the  13th  of  April  last,  at  which  time  I  relieved  Colo- 
nel Mason  from  his  duties  as  Governor  of  California. 

It  was  (with  the  advice  of  Colonel  Mason)  my  in- 
tention, on  assuming  the  direction  of  civil  affairs  in 
this  country,  to  complete  the  organization  of  the  exist- 
ing government ;  at  the  same  time  to  call  a  convention 
for  forming  a  State  Constitution,  or  plan  of  territorial 
government,  to  be  submitted  to  Congress  for  its  appro- 
val. But  on  further  consultation  it  was  deemed  best 
to  postpone  all  action  on  this  subject,  until  I  could 
ascertain  what  had  been  done  in  Congress.  On  the 
first  instant  I  received  reliable  information  by  the 
steamer  "Edith"  that  that  body  had  adjourned  with- 
out organizing  any  territorial  government  for  this 
country ;  and  accordingly,  on  the  3d  instant  I  issued 
my  proclamation  to  the  people  of  California,  defining 
what  was  understood  to  be  the  legal  position  of  affairs 
here,  and  pointing  out  the  course  it  was  deemed  ad- 
visable to  pursue  in  order  to  procure  a  new  political 
organization  better  adapted  to  the  character  and 
present  condition  of  the  country.  The  course  indi- 
cated in  my  proclamation  will  be  adopted  by  the 
people,  almost  unanimously,  and  there  is  now  little  or 
no  doubt  that  the  convention  will  meet  on  the  first  of 
September  next  and  form  a  State  Constitution,  to  be 
submitted  to  Congress  in  the  early  part  of  the  coming 
session. 


HISTORY  OP  CALIFORNIA.  395 

A  tew  prefer  a  territorial  organization,  but  I  think 
a  majority  will  be  in  favor  of  a  State  government,  so 
as  to  avoid  all  further  difficulties  respecting  the  ques- 
tion of  slavery.  This  question  will  probably  be  sub- 
mitted, together  with  the  Constitution,  to  a  direct  vote 
of  the  people,  in  order  that  the  wishes  of  the  people 
of  California  may  be  clearly  and  fully  expressed.  Of 
course,  the  Constitution  or  plan  of  territorial  govern- 
ment formed  by  this  convention  can  have  no  lega* 
force  till  approved  by  Congress. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  treaty  of  peace  with  Mexico, 
doubt  was  entertained  by  a  portion  of  the  people  here 
respecting  what  constituted  the  legal  government  and 
laws  of  the  country.  A  few  contended  that  all 
government  and  all  laws  in  California  were  at  an  end, 
and  that  therefore  the  people,  in  their  sovereign 
capacity,  might  make  such  government  and  laws  as 
they  should  deem  proper.  Accordingly,  in  two  of  the 
northern  districts,  local  legislative  assemblies  were 
organized,  and  laws  enacted  for  the  government  of 
the  people  of  these  districts.  The  members  of  the 
Sonoma  assembly,  however,  soon  became  convinced 
of  their  error,  and  that  body  was  dissolved.  But  in 
San  Francisco  the  assembly  continued  its  sessions, 
making  laws,  creating  and  filling  offices,  imposing  and 
collecting  taxes,  without  the  authority  and  in  violation 
of  law,  and  finally  went  so  far  as  to  abolish  the  office 
of  alcalde,  whose  records  and  papers  were  seized  and 
forcibly  removed  from  his  custody.  On  receiving 
official  information  of  these  facts,  I  issued  my  procla- 
mation of  the  4th  instant.  Since  then  I  have  made 
a  personal  visit  to  San  Francisco,  and  find  th.it  the 
more  respectable  members  of  the  so-called  district 
tssembly  arc  convinced  of  the  impropriety  of  the 


396  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

course  pursued  by  that  body,  and  in  a  very  short  time 
I  think  all  the  difficulties  will  be  amicably  arranged. 
These  difficulties  arose  in  part  from  a  misapprehen- 
sion as  to  what  constituted  the  legal  government  of 
the  country,  and  in  part  from  the  unpopularity  of  the 
first  alcalde  of  that  district,  against  whom  serious 
charges  had  been  made.  Unfortunately,  there  was 
at  the  time  no  legal  tribunal  for  investigating  these 
charges ;  and,  there  being  no  other  magistrate  in  that 
district,  I  could  not,  with  propriety,  remove  him  from 
office.  A  new  election,  however,  will  soon  be  held  to 
supply  his  place;  and  on  the  organization  of  the 
"superior  court,"  the  charges  against  him  can  be 
properly  investigated. 

The  publication  of  a  portion  of  the  instructions 
received  from  Washington  respecting  the  government 
of  this  country,  and  the  disposition  manifested  by  the 
authorities  here  to  enforce  the  existing  laws,  have 
done  much  to  remove  the  erroneous  opinions  which 
were  for  a  time  entertained  by  a  portion  of  the  people 
of  California.  The.  civil  government  of  this  country 
has  been,  and  will  continue  to  be,  administered  on  the 
principle  laid  down  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  viz :  on  the  transfer  of  the  ceded 
territory,  it  has  never  been  held  that  the  relations  of 
the  inhabitants  with  each  other  undergo  any  change. 
Their  relations  with  their  former  sovereign  are  dis- 
solved, and  new  relations  are  created  between  them 
and  the  government  which  has  acquired  their  territory. 
The  mere  act  which  transfers  their  country  transfers 
the  allegiance  of  those  who  remain  in  it ;  and  the  law 
which  may  be  denominated  political  is  necessarily 
changed,  although  that  which  regulates  the  intercourse 
and  general  conduct  of  individuals  remains  in  force 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  397 

until   altered   by  the    newly-created    power  of    the 
State. 

The  treaty  is  the  law  of  the  land,  and  admits  the 
inhabitants  of  [California]  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
privileges,  rights,  and  immunities  of  citizens  of  the 
United  States.  It  is  unnecessary  to  inquire  whether 
this  is  not  their  condition,  independent  of  stipulation. 
They  do  not,  however,  participate  in  political  power ; 
they  do  not  share  in  the  government  till  [California] 
shall  become  a  State.  In  the  mean  time,  [California] 
continues  to  be  a  territory  of  the  United  States, 
governed  by  virtue  of  that  clause  of  the  constitution 
which  empowers  Congress  to  make  all  needful  rules 
and  regulations  respecting  the  territory  and  othe** 
property  belonging  to  the  United  States. 

When  we  take  into  consideration  the  great  mass  of 
floating  population  of  the  United  States  and  of  other 
countries — people  of  all  nations,  kimdreds  and  tongues 
— which  has  been  suddenly  thrown  into  this  country, 
it  must  be  acknowledged  that  every  thing  has,  thus 
far,  remained  remarkably  quiet,  and  that  the  amount 
of  crime  has  been  much  less  than  might,  under  the 
circumstances,  have  reasonably  been  expected.  It  is 
to  be  feared,  however,  that  during  the  coming  winter, 
when  large  numbers  of  the  miners  collect  in  the  towns, 
public  order  may  be  occasionally  disturbed.  But 'it  is 
believed  that  in  the  mean  time  a  more  complete  organi- 
zation of  the  existing  government  will  be  effected,  so 
as  to  enable  the  authorities  to  enforce  the  laws  with 
greater  regularity  and  efficiency. 

Rumors  have  reached  me  that  there  is  no  very 
amicable  feeling  existing  between  the  Americans  and 
foreigners  in  the  gold  regions,  and  that  the  former 
are  deposed  to  forcibly  expel  the  latter  from  the  placer 


398  HISTORY  OP   CALIPOENIA. 

districts.  I  shall  soon  visit  the  valleys  of  the  Sacra 
mento  and  San  Joaquin,  and  hope  to  be  able  to  report 
upon  the  true  state  of  affairs  there  by  the  August 
steamer.  As  Congress  has  declined  passing  any  laws 
restricting  the  working  of  the  placers,  I  shall  not 
deem  myself  authorized  to  interfere  in  this  matter,  any- 
further  than  may  be  necessary  to  preserve  the  public 
tranquillity.  Indeed  there  is  much  reason  to  believe 
that  Congress  has  pursued  the  best  policy,  under  the 
circumstances,  in  leaving  the  placers  open  to  all;  for 
it  would  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  enforce  any  regula- 
tions not  absolutely  required  by  the  necessity  of  the 
case,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  any  attempt 
at  this  time  to  rent  out  the  mineral  lands,  or  to  tax 
their  products,  would  involve  a  great  expense,  and  it 
is  quite  possible  that  such  an  attempt  would  lead  to 
very  serious  difficulties.  Of  the  large  numbers  who 
have  been  attracted  to  this  country  by  the  flattering 
prospect  of  sudden  wealth,  and  with  the  intention  of 
returning  to  their  former  homes  to  enjoy  their  gains, 
many  foreigners  as  well  as  Americans  are  becoming 
established  in  business,  and  will  make  California  their 
permanent  place  of  residence.  It  is  therefore  well 
worthy  of  serious  consideration  whether  the  present 
system  may  not  prove  equally  beneficial  with  that  of 
a  more  exclusive  policy.  It  certainly  conduces  much 
towards  developing  the  resources  of  the  country,  ex- 
tending its  commerce,  and  rapidly  augmenting  its 
wealth  and  population.  As  soon  as  I  have  made  a 
personal  examination  of  the  gold  regions,  I  shall  be 
prepared  to  express  my  views  on  this  subject ;  but  I 
cannot  omit  the  present  occasion  to  urge  upon  the 
government  the  importance  of  establishing  a  mint  in 
California,  with  the  least  possible  delay. 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  399 

Information,  not  official,  has  been  received,  that  the 
revenue  laws  of  the  United  States  have  been  extended 
over  this  country,  and  that  a  collector  and  deputies 
may  soon  be  expected  to  take  charge  of  the  collection 
of  revenue  in  this  district.  On  their  arrival,  all  cus- 
tom-houses and  custom-house  property  will  be  turned 
over  to  them,  and  the  temporary  collectors  employed 
by  my  predecessor  and  by  myself  will  be  discharged. 
The  moneys  collected  during  and  since  the  war,  under 
the  direction  of  the  governor  of  California,  and  not 
required  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  civil  govern- 
ment, will  be  kept  as  a  separate  and  distinct  fund, 
subject  to  the  disposition  of  Congress.  The  grounds 
upon  which  this  revenue  has  been  collected  since  the 
declaration  of  peace,  are  fully  stated  in  a  letter  to  the 
collector  of  San  Francisco,  dated  the  24th  of  February 
last.  It  may  be  proper  to  add,  that  the  course  pur- 
sued by  my  predecessor  was  rendered  absolutely 
necessary  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case. 
The  wants  of  the  country  rendered  it  imperative  upon 
him  to  permit  the  landing  of  foreign  goods  in  this 
territory  ;  and  had  this  been  done  without  the  collec- 
tion of  duties,  large  amounts  of  dutiable  goods  would 
have  been  placed  in  depot  on  this  coast,  to  the  mani- 
fest injury  of  the  revenue  and  prejudice  to  our  own 
merchants.  The  importers  have  sold  their  goods  at 
such  prices  as  to  cover  the  duties  paid,  and  still  leave 
them  enormous  profits ;  and  to  now  return  these 
duties  to  the  importers  would  be  a  virtual  gift,  without 
in  any  way  benefitting  the  people  of  California.  But, 
to  expend  this  money  in  objects  of  public  utility  in 
Uie  country,  would  confer  a  lasting  benefit  upon  all. 
I  would  therefore  recommend  that  such  portions  of 
these  moneys  as  may  be  left,  after  defraying  the 
V* 


400  HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA. 

expenses  of  the  existing  civil  government,  be  givei  to 
California  as  a  "school  fund,"  to  be  exclusively  devo< 
ted  to  purposes  of  education.  No  difficulty  has  been 
experienced  in  enforcing  the  tariff  of  1846,  and  the  re- 
venue has  been  collected  at  a  very  moderate  expense, 
considering  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  times. 

All  officers  of  the  civil  government  of  California 
will  be  paid  out  of  the  "civil  fund"  arising  from  the 
customs,  the  salaries  fixed  by  law,  and  I  would  recom- 
mend that  those  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  who 
have  been  employed  as  collectors  and  receivers  of 
customs  in  California,  both  during  and  since  the  war, 
be  allowed  a  fair  per  centage  on  the  money  which 
they  have  collected  and  disbursed.  Two  and  a  half 
per  cent,  on  the  amount  collected,  with  the  restriction 
contained  in  section  2  of  the  Act  of  March  3,  1849, 
is  deemed  a  fair  allowance  for  collecting  these  customs, 
and  two  and  a  half  per  cent,  on  the  amount  actually 
expended  is  deemed  ample  compensation  for  keeping 
and  accounting  for  the  same.  It  would  be  more  just 
and  proper  to  make  the  allowance  for  the  actual  ex- 
penditures than  for  receiving  and  keeping  these 
moneys ;  because,  if  the  reversed  rule  were  established, 
officers  who  have  received  large  sums,  and  within  a 
few  days  transferred  them  to  others,  with  no  other 
trouble  than  merely  passing  receipts,  would  oe  entitled 
to  a  higher  pay  than  those  who  have  had  all  the 
trouble  of  expending  this  money  in  small  sums,  and  in 
keeping  and  rendering  accounts  of  these  expenditures, 

As  soon  as  these  "civil  funds"  can  be  collected 
*rom  the  officers  now  holding  them,  it  is  proposed  to 
place  them  in  the  hands  of  some  officer,  or  other 
responsible  person,  who  will  act  as  treasurer  for  the 
civil  government,  with  a  fixed  compensation  for  big 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  401 

•ervices.  On  the  arrival  of  the  regular  collector  arid 
deputies,  appointed  according  to  law,  a  full  statemen4 
will  be  made  of  all  the  moneys  which  have  been  col- 
lected in  California,  and  the  papers  and  accounts  con- 
nected with  the  expenditure  of  this  civil  fund  will  be 
sent  to  Washington,  as  heretofore,  in  order  that  all 
officers  who  shall  receive  or  expend  the  same  may  b« 
held  to  a  strict  accountability. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  RILEY, 

Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  and  Governor  of  Cali- 
fornia. 

Major-General  R.  JONES, 
Adjutant  General  of  the  Army,  Washington,  2).  0 


APPENDIX  L. 

Governor  Riley  took  occasion  to  make  an  excursion 
through  the  gold  regions,  soon  after  his  affairs  with 
the  assemblies  were  disposed  off.  A  reconnoisance 
of  the  valleys  of  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  waF 
made,  and  particular  care  given  to  the  matter  of  es- 
tablishing military  posts  for  defending  the  miners  and 
others  from  the  attacks  of  the  Indians.  After  his  re- 
turn to  Monterey,  the  following  despatch  was  sent  to  the 
headquarters  of  the  United  States  army.  The  subject 
of  the  Indian  troubles  receives  especial  consideration. 

HEADQUARTERS  TENTH  MILITARY  DEPARTMENT, 

Monterey,  California,  August  30,  1849. 

COLONEL  :  I  found,  on  my  return  to  this  place  from 

a  reconnoissance  of  a  portion  of  the  valleys  of  San 

Joaquin  and  Sacramento  Rivers,  general  orders  No,  1 


402  HISTOKY  OF   CALIFORNIA. 

from  the  headquarters  of  the  army ;  and,  as  I  cannot 
have  copied  in  season  for  transmission  by  the  steamer 
of  the  1st  proximo  the  military  correspondence  at 
these  headquarters,  I  respectfully  submit,  for  the  in- 
formation of  the  commander-in-chief,  a  brief  summary 
of  reports  heretofore  made  in  relation  to  military 
affairs  in"  this  department. 

My  attention  was  directed,  on  my  arrival  in  this 
country,  to  the  unparalleled  excitement  in  relation  to 
the  mineral  regions  ;  the  imminent  danger  that  our 
troops,  as  they  arrived,  -would  desert  to  the  "placers" 
and,  instead  of  giving  protection  to  the  parties,  and 
aid  in  the  preservation  of  order  and  tranquillity,  would 
themselves  become  the  very  worst  element  of  iis- 
order;  the  great  extent  of  Indian  frontier  to  be 
guarded,  and  the  difficulties  then  apprehended  from 
ihe  unsettled  state  of  affairs  in  the  mining  districts. 
An  attentive  consideration" of  these  subjects  impressed 
me  with  the  opinion  that  the  policy  most  likely  tc 
prove  advantageous  to  the  service,  would  be  the  con 
centration  of  all  the  troops  serving  in  this  department, 
except  the  necessary  guards  for  the  depots  at  one  or 
more  points  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  gold 
regions,  from  whence  a  portion  of  them  might  be  per- 
mitted to  visit  the  placers  for  tlje  purpose  of  working 
them  for  their  own  benefit — the  remainder  to  be  held 
embodied  in  a  proper  state  of  discipline,  in  readiness 
for  any  emergency  that  might  occur.  After  the  ex- 
piration of  the  furlough  of  the  first  class,  a  second 
class  to  be  furloughed,  and  so  in  succession  with  the 
remainder ;  the  troops  stationed  at  points  so  distant 
from  the  mines,  that  they  could  not  be  furloughed,  to 
be  relieved  by  exchange  with  commands  that  have 
been  more  favorably  situated.  The  practice  of  grant- 


HISTORY   OP   CALIFORNIA.  ±03 

ing  furloughs,  adopted  at  some  of  the  posts  in  thil 
country,  with  the  sanction  of  the  former  department 
commander,  had  succeeded  well,  and  the  information 
received  about  the  time  of  my  arrival  from  the  south- 
ern part  of  this  department  confirmed  me  in  the 
opinion  previously  entertained,  that  the  mania  for  gold- 
hunting  would  exist,  in  its  most  exaggerated  form,  at 
points  most  remote  from  the  placers.  I  accordingly, 
immediately  after  relieving  Colonel  Mason  in  the 
command  of  the  department,  recommended  the  adop- 
tion of  the  policy  above  indicated.  It  is  a  matter  of 
regret,  that  the  emergencies  of  the  service  have  been 
such  that  it  could  not  be  carried  out  to  the  extent  re- 
commended ;  for  the  experience  of  the  past  four 
months  has  convinced  me  that  it  is  the  only  course 
that  can  be  adopted,  with  reasonable  hope  of  success, 
until  the  state  of  affairs  in  this  country  is  materially 
changed.  In  addition  to  the  mere  question  of  expe- 
diency, Indian  difficulties  that  were  then  occurring, 
and  the  threatening  danger  of  a  proximate  collision 
between  the  different  classes  at  work  in  the  gold  re- 
gion, made  it  highly  important  that  a  strong  military 
force  should  be  established  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  the  mining  region. 

For  the  disposition  of  the  troops  in  the  department, 
and  the  measures  taken  to  prevent  desertions,  &c.,  I 
respectfully  refer  to  department  order  and  special 
orders  forwarded  to  you  by  this  mail.  These  furnish 
you  with  a  history  of  the  operations  in  the  department 
since  my  assumption  of  the  command.  The  present 
disposition  of  the  troops  is  the  same  as  indicated  in 
orders  No.  16,  except  that  company  A,  2d  infantry, 
re-inforced  by  details  from  other  companies — in  all, 
r^ur  officers  and  eighty  men — has  been  detached,  un« 


4:01  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

der  instructions  from  the  commander  of  the  division, 
as  an  escort  for  Captain  Warner,  topographical  engi- 
neers, and  company  E,  1st  dragoons,  when  en  routi 
for  the  station,  was  diverted  from  that  route,  for  the 
purposo  of  securing  the  perpetrators  of  some  murders 
committed  by  Indians  on  or  near  Los  Reyes  River. 

The  difficulties  apprehended  from  a  collision  be- 
tween the  different  classes  of  the  mining  population 
have  not  yet  occurred  in  the  form  which  it  was  feared 
they  would  assume,  and  at  present  I  do  not  apprehend 
any  serious  difficulty  from  that  source.  Some  serious 
Indian  disturbances  have  occurred  on  the  American 
fork  of  the  Sacramento,  and  a  few  isolated  murders 
have  occurred  at  other  points  ;  but  at  the^  date  of  the 
last  report  from  the  frontier,  every  thing  was  quiet. 
The  Indians  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  although  in  a  great 
number,  are  of  a  degraded  class,  and  are  divided  into 
so  many  different  tribes,  or  rancherias,  speaking  differ 
ent  languages,  that  any  combination  on  their  part  is 
scarcely  to  be  apprehended.  Their  depredations 
heretofore  have  been  confined  generally  to  horse-steal- 
ing, and  only  occasionally  have  murders  been  com- 
mitted by  them.  These,  however,  have  been  made 
the  pretence,  by  the  whites  in  their  neighborhood,  for 
the  commission  of  outrages  of  the  most  aggravated 
character — in  one  or  two  cases  involving  in  an  indis- 
criminate massacre  the  wild  Indians  of  the  Sierra 
and  the  tame  Indians  of  the  ranches.  The  command- 
ers of  detachments  serving  on  the  Indian  frontiers  are 
instructed  to  prevent  any  authorized  interference  with 
the  Indians  by  the  whites,  and  to  support  the  Indian 
agents  of  their  districts  in  the  exercise  of  their  appro- 
priate duties.  From  the  character  of  the  mining 
population,  and  the  nature  of  their  occupations,  unless 


HISTORY   OP  CALIFORNIA.  4(j£ 

&  strong  militar j  force  be  maintained  on  that  frontier, 
it  will  be  impossible  to  prevent  the  commission  of  out- 
rages upon  the  Indians ;  and  they,  in  turn,  will  be 
avenged  by  murders  committed  upon  isolated  partiea 
of  whites.  Unfortunately,  the  eagerness  with  which 
gold  is  sought  after  by  detached  parties  of  miners, 
gives  many  opportunities  for  the  commission  of  such 
outrages.  To  seek  after  and  apprehend  the  perpe- 
trators in  cases  of  this  kind,  a  mounted  force  is  abso- 
lutely necessary ;  and,  although  great  difficulty  will 
be  experienced  in  obtaining  forage  and  replacing 
horses  that  may  be  disabled,  its  services  are  so  indis- 
pensably necessary,  that  I  greatly  regret  my  inability 
to  supply  more  than  one  company  on  the  Indian  fron- 
tier until  after  the  company  now  on  duty  with  the 
commissioner  of  the  boundary  survey  is  relieved. 

I  have  heretofore  called  the  attention  of  the  War 
Department  and  the  division  commander  to  the  in- 
sufficiency of  the  force  assigned  to  this  department 
by  general  order  No.  49  of  1848.  As  it  may  not  be 
possible,  with  the  present  military  establishment,  to 
order  any  additional  force  to  this  country  without  the 
action  of  Congress,  I  respectfully  invite  the  attention 
of  the  commanding  general  to  the  views  heretofore 
expressed  on  this  subject.  A  topographical  sketch 
of  a  p  tion  of  this  department  is  herewith  inclosed, 
upon  which  I  have  indicated  the  positions  or  neigh- 
borhoods in  which  I  deem  it  important  that  troops 
should  be  established.  The  amount  and  character  of 
the  force  required  in  my  report  to  division  headquar- 
ters, of  June  11,  is  also  inclosed. 

The  embarrassments  under  which  the  service  haa 
labored  will  be  so  readily  appreciated  at  home,  that 
>t  is  unnecessary  to  refer  to  them  here  except  to  say 
28 


406  HISTOET   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

that,  great  as  these  embarrassments  have  oeen,  thej 
have  been  greatly  increased  by  the  want  of  line  and 
staff  officers. 

In  consequence  of  the  extraoi  dinary  prices  of  labor, 
and  the  consequent  enormous  exf  enditures  in  this  coun- 
try, young  officers  of  the  line  should  not  be,  in  justice  to 
the  service  and  themselves,  as  they  have  unnecessarily 
been,  encumbered,  in  addition  to  their  company  duties, 
with  money  and  property  responsibilities  to  a  very 
great  amount.  Experienced  officers  of  the  quarter 
master's  department  are  required  at  San  Francisco, 
San  Diego,  and  with  the  commands  on  the  upper  Sa- 
cramento and  San  Joaquin  Rivers.  I  have  now  but 
one  officer.  Captain  Kane,  of  that  department,  under 
my  control ;  and  he  is  necessarily  detained  at  depart- 
ment headquarters  in  the  preparation  of  my  estimates 
for  the  services  of  the  ensuing  year.  Quarters  must 
soon  be  erected  at  several  of  the  posts  in  this  depart- 
ment ;  and  I  cannot  spare  line  officers  for  this  duty, 
without  destroying  their  efficiency  with  their  compa- 
nies, even  were  it  proper  to  do  so.  There  are  no  topo- 
graphical engineers  on  duty  in  this  department,  and, 
in  consequence  of  the  want,  I  have  been  able  to  per- 
form very  little  of  the  duty  devolved  upon  me  by  the 
lllth  paragraph  general  orders  No.  49,  of  1848.  A 
reconnoissance  of  a  portion  of  the  valleys  of  the  Sacra- 
mento and  San  Joaquin  Rivers,  undertaken  for  the 
purpose  of  determining  the  position  to  be  occupied,  as 
recommended  in  my  report  to  division  headquarters 
of  April  16,  to  the  War  Department  of  the  25th  of 
the  same  month,  has  strengthened  my  opinion  of  the 
importance  of  giving  the  country  a  most  thorough 
examination  before  any  military  posts  are  permanently 
located  in  the  interior.  The  whole  district  of  country 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  *07 

tying  between  the  coast  range  and  the  Sierra  Nevada 
is  exceedingly  sickly  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year. 
The  common  timber  of  the  country  (oak)  is  not  fit  for 
building  purposes  ;  and  I  wae  greatly  disappointed  in 
finding  that  south  of  the  Sacramento  Rh  er,  pme  fit 
for  lumber  exists  only  on  the  spur  of  the  mountain* 
in  small  quantities,  and  in  places  difficult  of  access 
Stone,'  as  a  building  material  is  scarce ;  and  at  several 
of  the  points  where  it  may  be  desirable  to  establish 
military  posts,  grain  for  forage  is  out  of  the  question, 
and  grass  can  only  be  found  in  exceedingly  limited 
quantities.  I  expressed  a  hope  in  my  despatches  to 
the  War  Department  of  June  30,  that  I  would  be  able 
to  make  an  examination  of  the  country  along  the 
western  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  from  the  source 
of  the  San  Joaquin  to  the  southern  boundary  of  Cali- 
fornia ;  but  the  season  is  now  so  far  advanced  that  I 
fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  accomplish  more  than  the 
ietermination  of  a  position  to  be  occupied  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Los  Reyes  River.  It  is  of  great  im- 
importance  that  this  point  should  be  determined  as 
soon  as  possible ;  for  the  new  discoveries  of  gold 
constantly  being  made  in  that  direction,  are  at- 
tracting thither  a  large  portion  of  the  mining 
population.  The  rapidly  increasing  population  of  the 
northern  placers  is  gradually  forcing  the  Indians  to 
the  south,  and  congregating  them  on  the  waters  of  the 
Lake  Buena  Vista,  (Tula.)  This  position  should  be 
occupied,  if  possible,  before  the  miners  have  become 
established  in  Los  Reyes  and  the  neighboring  rivers ; 
and  the  necessary  examinations  and  arrangements  will 
be  made  as  soon  as  it  is  possible  to  do  so. 

Since  my  application  (April  25)  for  officers  of  the 
quartermaster's  department  was  made,  two  officers  of 


408  HISTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA. 

that  corps,  Majors  Allen  and  Fitzgerald,  whom  I  had 
supposed  would  be  available  for  duty  in  this  depart- 
ment, have  been  permanently  separated  from  it ;  and 
the  number  then  applied  for  should  be  increased  by 
two. 

Two  of  the  medical  officers  in  this  department  are 
now  prostrated  by  disease ;  and  as  their  places  cannot 
be  supplied  here,  there  should  be  at  least  three  in  this 
department,  in  addition  to  those  actually  required  for 
duty  at  the  different  posts  in  the  department,  to  meet 
emergencies  of  this  kind. 

The  ordnance  depots  at  Monterey  and  San  Fran- 
cisco are  under  the  charge  of  military  store-keepers. 
It  is  important,  for  the  preservation  of  this  property 
in  a  serviceable  condition,  that  they  should  be  under 
the  supervision  of  an  experienced  ordnance  officer. 

With  the  exception  of  the  assistant  quartermaster 
above  referred  to,  the  officers  above  enumerated  have 
heretofore  been  applied  for ;  but  as  none  have  been 
reported  to  me,  I  will  state  in  detail  what  officers  are 
absolutely  required  with  this  command  : 

Four  officers  of  the  quartermaster's  department  in 
addition  to  Captain  Kane  now  on  duty  here : 

Two  topographical  engineers : 

Three  additional  medical  officers : 

One  officer  of  the  ordnance  department : 

One  officer  of  the  subsistence  department.    . 

The  irregular  communication  with  some  of  the  in- 
terior posts,  creates  a  good  deal  of  embarrassment  by 
delaying  the  department  returns.  In  consequence  of 
this  I  am  unable  to  furnish  a  later  return  than  for 
June.  The  transport  Mary  and  Adeline,  with  com- 
panies A  and  F,  2d  infantry,  reached  San  Franciscc 
on  th^  8th  ultimo.  The  detachment  of  dragoons,  on 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  4Q& 

their  march  to  the  department  with  the  collector  of 
this  district  and  the  Arkansas  emigrants,  have  not 
yet  arrived.  During  the  months  of  July  and  August, 
so  far  as  reports  have  heen  received,  there  were  but 
few  desertions,  except  from  the  company  detailed  for 
the  escort  of  Captain  Warner,  topographical  engineers ; 
thirty-four  men,  more  than  half  the  whole  number 
reported,  have  deserted  from  this  company.  The 
entire  force  in  the  department  at  this  time  does  not 
probably  exceed  six  hundred  and  fifty,  (aggregate ;) 
and  consequently  more  than  four  hundred  recruits  are 
now  required  to  fill  up  these  companies  to  the  standard 
authorized  for  this  department. 

A  detailed  report  of  my  reconnoissance  in  the  val- 
^eys  of  the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  will  be  for- 
warded by  the  next  steamer.  I  have  delayed  it  in 
order  to  embody  in  it  information  in  regard  to  the 
country  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Tula,  which  I  am 
in  the  daily  expectation  of  receiving. 

The  want  of  company  officers  is  very  much  felt ;  and 
I  request  that  authority  may  be  given  me  to  break  up 
the  companies  whose  captains  are  permanently  absent, 
transferring  the  officers  to  other  companies,  as  their 
services  may  be  needed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  colonel, 
your  obedient  servant, 

B.  RILEY, 
Brevet  Brigadier- General  U.  S.  Army,  commanding 

Lieut.  Col.  W.  G.  FREEMAN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  G-eneral  U.  S.  Army, 
Headquarters  of  the  Army,  New  York. 


±10  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 


APPENDIX  M. 

In  the  early  part  of  1848,  Lieut.  H.  W.  Halkck, 
of  the  Engineers,  was  ordered  to  make  a  reconnoi- 
sance  of  the  coast  of  Lower  California,  with  reference 
to  the  location  of  works  of  military  defence.  In  his 
report  to  Colonel  Mason,  after  giving  a  general  de- 
scription of  the  coast  and  harbors,  and  proposing  a 
system  of  military  defence,  he  submits  some  remarks 
upon  the  commercial  and  military  importance  of  the 
peninsula.  The  whole  report  is  interesting,  and  fur- 
nishes the  most  correct  information  upon  the  subject 
of  the  reconnoisance.  It  will  form  an  interesting 
conclusion  to  a  work  which  has  been  principally 
devoted  to  a  description  and  history  of  Upper  Cali- 
fornia. 

LA  PAZ,  April  12,  1848. 

SIR:  In  compliance  with  the  instructions  of  the 
commanding  general  of  the  department  to  make  a 
"  reconnoisance  of  the  coast  of  California,  with  refer- 
ence to  the  location  of  works  of  military  defence,"  I 
reported  in  my  last  upon  so  much  as  relates  to  the 
upper  province,  and  I  now  submit  a  few  remarks  on 
the  military  defence  of  the  peninsula  of  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 

I.  General  description  of  the  coast  and  harbors. — 
The  principal  ports  of  the  coast  of  Lower  California, 
visited  by  whaling  and  merchant  vessels,  are  San 
Quintin,  Magdalena,  San  Jose,  La  Paz,  Escondido,  near 
Loreto,)'and  Mulige. — There  are  some  other  points 
which  vessels  occasionally  touch  for  supplies  and  at 
trade,  but  they  are  comparatively  of  little  commercial 


HISTOEY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  411 

or  military  importance.  The  port  of  San  Quintin, 
in  latitude  thirty  degrees  twenty-three  minutes,  is  re- 
presented as  affording  a  secure  anchorage  for  vessels 
of  every  description,  and  to  he  sufficiently  commo- 
dious for  the  reception  of  a  numerous  fleet.  The  ex- 
tensive hay  of  Magdalena  has  acquired  considerable 
notoriety  from  its  being  resorted  to  every  winter  by 
large  numbers  of  whaling  vessels.  Its  size  gives  i1 
the  character  of  an  inland  sea,  its  waters  being  navi- 
gable for  the  distance  of  more  than  a  hundred  miles. 
It  furnishes  several  places  of  safe  and  commodious 
anchorage.  The  bay  of  San  Jose,  near  Cape  Saint 
Lucas,  is  much  frequented  by  coasting  vessels,  and 
occasionally  visited  by  whalers  and  men-of-war.  Be- 
ing the  outlet  of  a  fertile  valley,  extending  some 
forty  or  fifty  miles  into  the  interior,  it  is  probably  the 
best  place  in  the  peninsula  for  supplying  shipping 
with  water  and  fresh  provisions.  It  is,  however,  a 
mere  roadstead,  affording  no  protection  whatever  dur- 
ing the  season  of  southeaster. 

La  Paz  is  the  seat  of  government  and  the  principal 
port  of  Lower  California,  and  its  extensive  bay 
affords  excellent  places  of  anchorage  for  vessels  of 
any  size,  and  is  sufficiently  commodious  for  the  most 
numerous  fleets.  The  principal  pearl  fisheries  are 
in  this  immediate  vicinity,  and  also  the  most  valuable 
mining  districts.  It  is  the  outlet  of  the  fertile 
valley  of  the  Todos  Santos,  and  of  the  produce  of 
the  whole  country  between  Santiago  and  Loreto. 
The  cove  or  estero,  opposite  the  town  of  La  Paz,  fur- 
bishes spacious  and  safe  anchorage,  which  may  be 
reached  by  vessels  drawing  not  more  than  eighteen 
or  twenty  feet  of  water  ;  and  the  cove  of  Pichilingue, 
at  the  south-eastern  extremity  of  the  bay,  and  about 


412  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

six  miles  from  the  town,  affords  an  excellent  anchor- 
age for  vessels  of  any  size ;  but  the  inner  bay  can  b« 
reached  only  by  small  merchant  vessels.  The  bar, 
however,  between  the  two  is  only  a  few  yards  in  ex- 
tent ;  and  if  the  importance  of  the  place  should  ever 
justify  it,  the  channel  might  be  made  deeper  without 
difficulty  or  great  expense.  The  adjacent  country 
being  barren  and  mountainous,  and  the  roads  to  the 
interior  exceedingly  difficult,  this  place  can  never  be 
the  outlet  of  much  agricultural  produce.  But  as  the 
island  of  Carmen,  nearly  opposite  the  entrance  to 
this  bay,  contains  an  almost  inexhaustible  supply  of 
salt,  very  easy  of  access,  it  is  possible  that  the  trade 
in  this  article  may  eventually  give  considerable  im- 
portance to  the  port  of  Escondido. 

The  bay  of  Mulige  contains  several  places  of  an- 
chorage, but  none  of  them  are  deemed  safe  for  large 
vessels,  or  even  from  small  vessels,  at  all  seasons  of 
the  year.  There  are  also  several  other  parts  in  the 
gulf  farther  north  which  are  occasionally  visited  by 
coasting  vessels,  but  it  is  not  known  that  any  of  them 
are  likely  to  be  of  much  commercial  importance. 

II.  Proposed  system  of  defence. — It  is  not  sup- 
posed that,  under  existing  circumstances,  any  military 
post  will  be  necessary  on  the  western  coast  of  the 
peninsula ;  nor  is  it  probable  that,  for  many  years, 
any  place  there  will  become  of  sufficient  importance 
to  justify  the  construction  of  military  works  for  its 
defence.  It  is  true  that  the  whale  fishery  on  this 
coast  has  become-,  from  the  amount  of  shipping  en- 
gaged in  it,  an  object  of  the  highest  consideration ; 
but  our  having  ports  of  refuge  at  San  Francisco  or 
San  Diego,  and  at  La  Paz,  strong  enough  to  resist  a 
naval  coup  de  main,  will,  it  is  believed,  afford  sufficient 


HISTORY    0*    CALIFORNIA.  413 

security  to  these  whalers  in  case  of  a  war  with  • 
maritime  power. 

On  our  arrival  here  in  October  last,  it  was  deemed 
desirable  to  establish  a  small  military  post  at  San 
Jose,  for  the  double  purpose  of  giving  protection  to 
the  friendly  inhabitants  against  a  band  of  Mexican 
freebooters  who  had  crossed  the  gulf  from  Guaynas 
to  Mulige  and  Loreto,  and  of  preventing  the  further 
introduction  of  men  and  munitions  from  the  opposite 
coast.  The  old  mission  building  was  found  well 
adapted  to  the  purpose  in  view,  and  with  a  few 
repairs  and  improvements  served  as  an  admirable  pro- 
tection for  the  little  garrison  in  the  several  attacks 
which  it  afterwards  sustained  from  greatly  superior 
forces.  It  will  probably  be  necessary  to  continue 
this  post  during  the  war  with  Mexico,  or  at  least  so 
long  as  there  is  any  danger  of  the  enemy's  sending 
troops  from  the  opposite  coast  to  again  disturb  the 
tranquillity  of  the  peninsula ;  but  it  is  not  deemed  ad- 
visable to  establish  at  this  place  any  works  of  perma- 
nent defence,  the  character  of  the  port  not  being  such 
as  to  warrant  expenditures  for  this  purpose.  The 
defences  of  the  cuartel  or  mission  building  are  deemed 
sufficient  for  all  purposes  of  temporary  occupation. 

Should  the  war  with  Mexico  continue,  and  the 
naval  forces  be  again  withdrawn  from  the  gulf,  it  may 
be  necessary  to  establish  temporarily  a  small  military 
post  at  Mulige;  but  no  permanent  garrison  will  be 
required  either  at  that  place  or  Escondido,  unless, 
perhaps,  hereafter  the  commercial  importance  of  the 
latter  port  should  justify  smsh  a  measure. 

La  Paz  is,  therefore,  the  only  port  in  Lower  Cali 
fornia  which  it  will  be  necessary,  for  the  present,  to 
occupy  with  a  permanent  military  force,  or  to 


414  HISTORY    SF   CALIFORNIA. 

by  means  of  fortifications.  For  temporary  pur 
poses,  the  site  of  the  old  cuartel  is  well  suited 
for  the  construction  of  defensive  barracks,  inas- 
much as  it  commands  the  town,  and  may  readily  be 
secured  against  an  attack  from  the  side.  The 
buildings  at  present  occupied  as  barracks  are  not 
judiciously  located.  A  permanent  work  on  Punta 
Colorada  will  completely  close  the  entrance  to 
Pichilingue  cove,  and  its  heavy  guns  will  reach  the 
entrance  to  the  channel  of  La  Paz ;  but  to  give  the 
requisite  security  to  the  latter,  a  small  battery  will  be 
necessary  on  Punta  Prieta.  The  topographical  fea- 
tures of  both  these  points  are  favorable  for  the  con- 
struction of  small  fortifications:  Stone  of  good 
quality  for  building  purposes  is  found  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity,  and  good  lime  may  be  procured  at  the 
distance  of  only  a  few  miles.  Quarries  have  been 
opened  in  the  "  Calaveras,"  and  the  stone,  though 
soft  and  easily  worked,  is  found  to  be  in  this  climate 
of  a  very  durable  character.  La  Paz  is  not  diificult 
to  defend  against  a  naval  attack,  and  the  proposed 
fortifications  may  be  constructed  in  a  short  time  and 
without  a  very  large  expenditure  of  money.  The  com- 
mercial character  of  the  place,  its  military  import- 
ance as  connected  with  the  defence  of  the  peninsula, 
its  great  value  as  a  naval  depot  and  port  of  refuge 
for  our  commercial  and  military  marine  in  case  of  war 
with  any  naval  power,  will,  it  is  believed,  fully  justify 
the  expenditures  necessary  for  securing  this  port 
against  a  maritime  attack. 

III.  Commercial  and  military  importance  of  Lower 
California. — Thus  far  in  my  report  I  have  proceeded 
on  the  supposition  that  it  is  the  intention  of  our  gov- 
ernment to  retain  the  whole  of  California  in  anj 


HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA.  413 

treaty  of  peace  with  Mexico ;  but  doubts  ha?  3  re- 
cently been  expressed  on  the  policy  of  retaining  this 
peninsula,  on  account  of  its  being  of  little  or  no  value 
to  the  United  States.  As  the  guerrilla  forces  which 
were  sent  over  from  Mexico  the  past  summer,  during 
the  absence  of  our  squadron  from  this  coast,  to  regain 
possession  of  Lower  California,  and  force  the  inhabit- 
ants to  their  allegiance  to  the  Mexican  government, 
have  been  defeated  and  completely  dispersed,  leaving 
our  own  troops  in  undisputed  possession  of  the  terri- 
tory, notning  but  a  conviction  of  the  utter  worthlees- 
ness  of  the  country  could  now  induce  our  government 
to  consent  to  its  abandonment.  On  this  subject  I 
beg  leave  to  add  a  few  remarks : 

The  peninsula  of  California  lies  between  twenty- 
two  degrees  fifty  minutes  and  thirty-two  degrees  thirty 
minutes  north  latitude,  being  about  seven  hundred 
miles  in  length,  and  varying  from  fifty  to  one  hundred 
miles  in  breadth.  An  irregular  chain  or  broken  ridge  of 
mountains  extend  from  Cape  St.  Lucas  to  the  frontiers 
of  Upper  California,  with  spurs  running  off  on  each 
side  to  the  gulf  and  ocean.  Between  these  spurs  are 
numerous  broad  plains  covered  with  stunted  trees, 
and  during  the  rainy  months  with  a  thin  but  nutri- 
cious  grass.  In  the  dry  season  this  grass  is  parched 
up  like  hay,  but  from  its  nutricious  character  it  affords 
abundant  food  for  the  herds  of  cattle  and  horses 
which  constitute  the  principal  wealth  of  rancheros. 
The  dry  ness  of  the  soil  prevent  the  growth  of  trees 
of  any  considerable  magnitude,  except  on  the  borieri 
of  a  few  mountain  streams.  This  timber,  though  far 
from  being  plentiful,  is  exceedingly  durable  and  much 
esteemed  in  ship-building.  The  greatest  height  of  the 
mountains  is  estimated  five  thousand  feet ;  many  of 
W  34 


416  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

them  are  piles  of  mere  broken  rocks,  while  others  are 
covered  with  grass,  shrubbery,  and  small  trees.  The 
plains  are  sandy  and  mostly  unproductive — not,  how- 
ever, from  any  natural  barrenness  in  the  soil,  but 
from  a  deficiency  of  water.  There  are  but  few 
Durable  streams  in  the  whole  country,  and  streams  of 
good  water  are  extremely  scarce.  But' in  the  plains 
and  most  of  the  dry  beds  of  rivers  water  can  be  obtained 
by  digging  wells  only  a  few  feet  in  depth ;  and 
wherever  irrigation  has  been  resorted  to  by  means  of 
these  wells,  the  produce  of  the  soil,  from  its  remark- 
able fertility,  has  abundantly  rewarded  the  labor  of  the 
agriculturist.  Much  of  this  soil  is  of  .volcanic  origin, 
having  been  washed  from  the  mountains  by  the  action 
of  heavy  rains,  and  the  produce  extracted  by  means 
of  irrigation  from  these  apparently  barren  and  un- 
prolific  sands  is  something  most  marvellous.  The 
general  aspect  of  the  country  on  the  coast  is  exceed- 
ingly barren  and  forbidding,  but  I  have  seen  no  in- 
stance where  the  soil  is  properly  cultivated  that  the 
labor  bestowed  on  it  is  not  well  rewarded.  The 
growth  of  vegetation  is  exceedingly  rapid,  and  the 
soil  and  climate  are  such  as  to  produce  nearly  all  the 
tropical  fruits  in  great  perfection.  But  the  inhabit- 
ants are  disinclined  to  agriculture,  and  most  of  them 
live  indolent  and  roving  lives,  subsisting  principally 
upon  their  herds.  Notwithstanding  the  unfavorable 
character  of  the  country,  it  is  capable,  in  the  hands 
of  an  industrious  and  agricultural  people,  of  support- 
ing a  population  much  more  numerous  than  the  pre- 
sent. In  the  time  of  the  missions,  when  very  small 
portions  of  the  soil  were  cultivated,  and  even  these 
but  rudely,  by  the  Indians,  the  four  districts  of  San 
Jose,  Santiago,  San  Antonio,  and  Todos  Santos  coo 


HLSTORY    OF   CALIFORNIA.  417 

sained  a  population  of  thirty-five  thousand  soula, 
whereas,  the  present  population  of  the  same  district* 
is  only  seven  thousand. 

The  agricultural  products  of  Lower  California  are 
maize,  sugar-cane,  potatoes,  dates,  figs,  grapes,  quin- 
ces, lemons,  and  olives.  A  considerable  quantity  of 
hides,  beef,  cheese,  soap,  sugar,  figs,  raisins,  &c.,  is 
annually  exported  to  Mexico  and  Upper  California, 
flour  and  merchandise  being  received  in  exchange. 
The  vegetable  market  of  Mazatlan  is  also  in  part 
supplied  from  the  valley  of  San  Josd. 

But  the  value  of  Lower  California  does  not  result 
from  its  being  either  a  grazing  or  agricultural  country. 
Its  fisheries,  mines,  commerce,  and  the  influence  of 
its  geographical  position,  are  matters  of  much  higher 
importance  than  its  agricultural  productions. 

The  whole  coast  of  the  peninsula  abounds  with  fish ; 
clams  and  oysters  are  found  in  great  plenty  and  of 
every  variety.  The  islands  of  the  gulf  abound  with 
seal,  and  the  whaling  grounds  on  the  Pacific  coast  are 
of  great  value.  During  the  past  year  Magdalena 
bay  alone  has,  at  one  time,  contained  as  many  as 
twenty-eight  sail,  all  engaged  in  this  fishery.  The 
pearl  fishery  is  also  exceedingly  valuable.  Formerly, 
when  it  was  conducted  with  system  and  regularity, 
the  annual  produce  of  a  single  vessel  with  thirty  or 
forty  divers,  between  the  months  of  July  and  October, 
usually  amounted  to  about  $60,000 ;  and  now,  badly 
as  the  fishery  is  conducted,  the  annual  exportation  of 
pearls  amounts  to  between  forty  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars.  Tortoise  and  pearl  shells  are  also  articles  of 
exportation. 

Lower  California  contains  valuable  mines  of  gold, 
•ilver,  copper,  and  lead;  but,  for  the  want  of  capital, 


418  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

very  few  of  these  are  worked,  and  tnis  in  the  rudeat 
manner  possible.  Nevertheless,  the  labor  expended 
on  them  is  well  rewarded ;  and  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  with  capital  and  suitable  means  they  would  yield 
very  handsome  profits.  The  salt-  mines  on  Carmen 
inland  are  capable  of  supplying  the  whole  coast  of 
Mexico  and  California;  already  the  duties  on  this 
article  amount  to  a  considerable  sum. 

The  commerce  of  the  peninsula  is  now  very  limited, 
being  principally  confined  to  a  coasting  trade  with 
the  ports  of  Mexico.  The  whole  population  of  the 
country  is  but  little  more  than  ten  thousand,  and  the 
annual  imports  and  exports  are  estimated  at  $300,000. 
But  in  our  hands  this  commerce,  freed  from  the  ab- 
surd restrictions  imposed  by  Mexico,  will  soon  receive 
a  very  great  extension.  La  Paz  will  become  the  r>rin 
cipal  depot  of  American  goods  for  the  western  coast 
of  Mexico ;  and  in  a  few  years  most  foreign  goods  in- 
tended for  this  coast  will  also  be  deposited  in  the 
warehouses  of  Lower  California,  to  be  transferred  to 
the  ports  of  Mexico  at  such  times  and  in  such  quanti- 
ties as  the  demands  of  the  market  may  require.  In 
the  present  variable  state  of  Mexican  trade,  resulting 
from  an  irregular  and  fluctuating  tariff,  which  differs 
for  each  port  and  changes  with  every  change  of 
general  or  state  administration,  it  is  frequently  neces- 
sary to  transfer  vessels  with  their  cargoes  from  one 
port  to  another,  or  to  keep  them  for  weeks  at  sea, 
standing  off  and  on,  so  as  to  enable  the  agents  tc 
arrange  the  rate  of  duties  at  the  custom-house  before 
landing  the  cargoes.  Sometimes  the  consignees  are 
obliged  to  send  their  vessels  to  the  Sandwich  islands 
or  Valparaiso  until  a  change  of  administration  will 
suable  them  to  avoid  the  exorbitant  demands  of  som* 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  i!9 

petty  governor  or  collector  of  customs.  Moreover, 
the  principal  commercial  ports  of  this  coast  (Mazatlan 
and  San  Bias)  are  inaccessible  to  merchant  vessels  for 
four  months  of  each  year,  and  during  that  time  are 
-isited  only  by  small  coasters.  But,  with  Lower 
California  in  our  possession,  merchant  vessels  'jf 
whatever  character,  at  all  seasons  and  in  all  winds, 
can  find  a  refuge  in  La  Paz,  and  their  cargoei 
iespatched  in  such  quantities  and  to  such  points  of 
"he  opposite  coast  as  circumstances  may  justify.  Thia 
place  in  a  few  years  will  be  what  Mazatlan  now  is, 
and  Mazatlan  experience  the  fate  of  San  Bias  and 
Acapulco. 

The  importance,  however,  of  this  port  results  mainly 
from  its  geographical  position,  and  the  influence  it 
is  likely  to  exert  as  a  military  and  naval  depot  upon 
our  commercial  interests  in  the  Pacific.  The  port  of 
San  Francisco,  in  Upper  California,  should  be  well 
fortified,  and  every  care  taken  to  make  it  a  harbor 
of  refuge  for  our  merchant  and  military  marine,  in 
case  of  a  maritime  war ;  but  it  must  be  remembered 
that  that  place  is  nearly  fifteen  hundred  miles  from 
the  nearest  port  of  Mexico,  and  that  it  is  very  far 
north  of  some  of  the  best  whaling  grounds  in  the  Paci- 
fic, and  too  distant  to  afford  much  protection  to  our 
commerce  with  Central  America,  although  its  position 
gives  it  a  controlling  influence  over  the  commerce  of 
Sandwich  Islands,  Upper  California,  and  Oregon. 
In  the  same  way  a  well-fortified  naval  station  at  La 
Paz,  from  its  immediate  proximity  to  the  coast  of 
Mexico,  would  have  a  most  beneficial  influence  on  our 
commercial  and  whaling  interest  in  this  part  of  the 
Pacific.  The  great  value,  in  time  of  maritime  war, 
»f  such  key  points  as  La  Paz,  and  the  commanding 
29 


«-20  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

influence  exercised  by  them  in  the  protection  of  com- 
merce, have  become  settled  principles  in  military 
defence ;  and  England  shows  her  appreciation  of  their 
truth,  and  the  wisdom  of  her  own  policy,  in  establish- 
ing stations  and  points  like  St.  Helena,  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  Gibraltar,  Malta,  Corfu,  and  Bermuda. 

Again,  the  growing  commerce  of  California  and 
Oregon,  and  the  political  importance  of  our  posses- 
sions on  the  Pacific,  render  it  necessary  that  we  should 
have  some  means  of  rapid  communication  between 
them  and  the  seat  of  government  at  Washington. 
This  communication  must  be  effected  by  the  isthmus 
of  Panama  or  of  Tehuantepec.  In  either  case  steam- 
ers bound  to  Upper  California  and  the  Columbia  River 
must  have  one  or  more  intermediate  depots  of  fuel ; 
and  in  time  of  war  it  is  important  that  these  depots 
be  established  in  our  own  rather  than  in  a  hostile  ter- 
ritory. A  glance  at  the  map  will  show  that  La  Paz 
is  nearly  equidistant  from  the  extremities  of  this  line ; 
and  that  Tehuantepec,  La  Paz,  and  San  Francisco 
divide  into  four  equal  parts  the  whole  distance  from 
Panama  to  Oregon.  Moreover,  as  this  ocean  is  pecu- 
liarly suited  to  steam  navigation,  a  large  part  of  the 
commerce  of  the  Pacific  must  eventually  be  carried  on 
in  steam  vessels ;  and  in  all  probability  not  many 
years  will  elapse  before  a  portion  of  our  naval  force  ir. 
these  waters  is  of  the  same  character.  Under  this 
supposition,  the  importance  of  our  possessing  some 
naval  depot  and  harbor  of  refuge  and  repair  south  of 
Upper  California  is  too  manifest  to  require  argument 
or  illustration. 

But  whatever  may  be  thought  of  the  value  of  thil 
peninsula  or  of  the  gulf  as  a  natural  boundary  between 
us  and  Mexico,  instead  of  an  imaginary  liuo  drawn 


HISTORY   OF  CALIFORNIA.  421 

from  the  Colorado  to  the  Pacific,  thus  separating  a 
kindred  people,  and  exposing  the  governments  of  the 
two  territories  to  continual  collisions,  the  propriety  of 
retaining  Lower  California  is,  in  my  opinion,  now  nc 
longer  an  open  question.  When  this  country  was  first 
taken  possession  of  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States, 
the  people  were  promised  the  protection  of  our  govern- 
ment against  Mexico,  and  guarantied  the  rights  secured 
by  our  Constitution;  and  in  November,  1847,  they 
were  assured  by  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  Paci- 
fic squadron,  (with  the  approbation  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy,)  that  this  territory  would  be  permanent- 
ly retained  by  the  American  government;  and  again, 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  his  annual 
message  of  December,  1847,  that  it  "should  never 
be  given  up  to  Mexico."  Acting  under  these  assur- 
ances, all  the  most  respectable  people  of  the  territory 
not  only  refused  to  take  part  with  the  Mexican  forces 
which  were  sent  to  attempt  the  recapture  of  that  country 
from  the  Americans,  but  many  of  them  actually  took 
up  arms  in  our  defence,  and  rendered  most  valuable 
services  in  ridding  the  peninsula  of  the  guerrilla  hordes 
sent  over  from  Mexico  for  the  purpose  of  effecting 
our  expulsion.  In  this  conflict,  some  wno  thus  sided 
with  us  lost  their  lives,  many  their  property,  and  all 
have  exposed  themselves  to  the  vengeance  of  the 
Mexican  government.  But  these  losses  and  dangers 
they  have  willingly  encountered,  in  the  hope  of  ob- 
taining the  better  government  of  the  United  States. 
They  have  regarded  these  promises  as  made  in  good 
faith,  and  have  been  guided  in  their  conduct  by  the 
assurances  thus  held  out  to  them  by  the  agents  of  the 
American  government ;  and  now,  for  the  United 
States  to  voluntarily  surrender  this  country  to  the 


±22  HISTORY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

republic  of  Mexico,  and  leave  these  Californians  ex 
posed  to  tlie  loss  of  life  and  confiscation  of  property, 
for  having  sided  with  us,  under  the  assurances  thue 
held  out  to  them,  would  net  only  be  in  itself  a  breach 
of  national  faith,  but  would  make  us  appear  in  th( 
eyes  of  the  world  guilty  of  the  most  deliberate  an? 
cruel  deception. 

H.  WAGER  HALLECK. 

Lieutenant  of  Engineer* 
Colonel  R.  B.  MASON, 

Commanding  Tenth  Military  Departnust 


STUDIES  IN  ENGLISH  SPELLING. 


FIRST   LESSON: 
A  wealthy  young  man  had  a  yacht, 
Disfigured  with  many  a  spacht, 
SAPOLIO  he  tried, 
Which,  as  soon  as  applied, 
Immediately  took  out  the  lacht ! 

SECOND   LESSON. 
Our  girl  o'er  the  housework  would 

sigh, 

Till  SAPOLIO  I  urged  her  to  trigh, 
Now  she  changes  her  tune, 
For  she's  done  work  at  nune, 
Which  accounts  for  the  light  in  her 
eigh! 

THIRD  LESSON. 

There's  many  a  domestic  embroglio— 
To  describe  which  would  need  qui*« 

a  foglio, 

Might  oft  be  prevented 
If  the  housewife  consented 
To  clean  out  the  house  with  SA- 
POGLIO ! 


FOURTH  'LESSON. 

Maria's  poor  fingers  would  ache, 
When  the  housework  in  hand  she 
would  tache, 

But  her  pains  were  allayed, 

When  SAPOLIO'S  aid, 
J^er  labor  quite  easy  did  macha  ! 

FIFTH   LESSON. 

We  have  heard  of  some  marvelous 
soaps, 

Whose  worth  has  exceeded  our  hoapsr, 
But  it  must  be  confest, 
That  SAPOLIO'S  the  best 

For  with  grease  spots  it  easily  coape: 

SIXTH   LESSON. 

The  wife  of  P.  popular  colonel 
Whose  troubles  with  "helps"  wers 

eto)onel 

Now  her  leisure  enjoys 
JPor  the  *'  new  girl "  employs 
SAPOLIO  in  housework  diolonel ! 


INTESTINAL  TORPOR  AND  KINDRED  EVILS 

Relieved   Without  Drugs. 

The  sufferer  from  Constipation  and  Piles  should  test  the  GLUTEN  SUPPOAf- 
TORIES  which  cure  most  cases  by  INCBEASHJG  THE  NUTBTTION  or  TDK  FABTB,  thus 
inducing  desire  and  strengthening  the  power  of  expulsion. 

—  ]READ    THE    EVIDENCE.^— 

DB.  A.  \V.  THOMPSON,  Northampton,  Mass.,  says:  "I  havo  tested  the  Gluten  Supposl' 
tones,  and  consider  them  valuable,  as,  indeed,  I  expected  from  the  excellence  of  their 
theory." 

DB.  WM.  TOD  HEL.MDTH  declares  the  Gluten  Suppositories  to  bo  "  the  best  remedy  for 
constipation  which  I  have  ever  prescribed." 

"AsSancho  Panza  said  of  sleep,  BO  say  I  of  your  Gluten  Suppositories:  God  bless 
the  man  who  invented  them  !"—  K.  L.  RIPLEY,  Burlington,  Vt. 

"I  have  been  a  constipated  dyspeptic  for  many  years,  and  the  effect  has  been  to  reduce 
me  in  flesh,  and  to  render  me  liable  to  no  little  nerve  prostration  ami  sleeplessness,  es- 
pecially after  preaching  or  any  special  mental  effort.  The  use  of  Gluten  Suppositories 
made  by  the  Health  Food  Co.,  74  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York,  has  relieved  the  ci>iistip;itr<? 
habit,  and  their  Gluten  and  Brain  Food  have  secured  forme  new  powers  of  . 
and  the  ability  to  sleep  soundly  and  think  clearly.  I  believe  theirfood-romrdics  to  be  wot 
thy  of  the  high  praise  which  they  are  receiving  on  all  sides."—  REV.  JOHN  H.  PATON,  Mich. 

"I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  Health  Food  Company's  Gluten  SuppositorinK,  as 
they  have  been  a  perfect  God-send  tome.  I  believe  them  suprrior  to  anything  ever 
devised  for  the  relief  of  constipation  and  hemorrhoids.  I  have  suffered  from  theno 
evils  more  than  twenty  years,  and  have  at  last  found  substantial  relief  through  th- 
us* of  the  Gluten  Suppositories."—  CYBUS  BBADBUBY,  Hopedale,  Mass. 

for  all  our  HEALTH  FOOD  i.n  i;it  A  i  rui:. 


HEA.LTH     FOOD     COMPANY. 
4th  Aye.  &  10th  St.,  adjoining  Stewart's,  New  York. 


University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

305  De  Neve  Drive  -  Parking  Lot  17  •  Box  951388 

LOS  ANGELES,  CALIFORNIA  90095-1388 
Return  this  material  to  the  library  from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


UCLA  COL  LIB  NOV  0^2005 
RECEIVED 


THE 


SOHL 


A    000024847 

iHJU 


Grand,  Square  and  Upright 


PIANOS 

Are  at  present  the  most  popular 

ANtt  PREFERRED   BY    THE   LEADING   ARTISTS. 


The  SOHMER  Pianos  are  used  In  the 
following  Institutions: 

Convent  of  tkeflacred  Heart,  Manhattan- 

vflle,  N.  Y. 

Yogf a  Conservatory  of  Music. 
Arnold's.  Conservatory  of  Music, 

Brooklyn. 

Philadelphia  Conservatory  of  Music. 
Villa  de  Sales  Couvent,  Long  Island. 
N.  Y.  Normal  Conservatory  ot  Muslo. 
Villa  Maria  Convent.  Mont'L 
Vassar  College.  Ponghkeepsle.   - 
And  most  all  the  leading  tint-aim  theaters 
In  NEW  YORK  and  BBOO^LYN. 


THE  WONDERFUL  BIJOU  GRAND 


(lately  patented)  by  SOHMKR  k  CO.. 
the  ftmallet  Grand  ever  manufactured 
(length  only  5  feet)  baa  created  a  sensa- 
tion among  musicians  and  artists.  Tho 
music  loving  public  will  find  it  in  their 
interest  to  call  at  the  warerooms  of 
SOHMER  &  CO.  and  examine  the 
various  Styles  of  Qrends,  Upright*  and 
Square  Pianos.  The  original  and  beau- 
tiful designs  and  improvements  in  Grand 
and  Upright  Pianos  deserve  special  at- 
tention. 


Firtt  Prize  Centennial  Expntition.  FhiladtlpMa.  18T6. 

Eeceived  Firtt  I*rizt  at  Exhibition,  Montreal,  Canada,  1881  and  1883. 

SOHMER    &    CO., 

MANUFACTURERS    OB1    GBAND,    SQUARE   AND     UPBIGHT    PIANOPOKTMSl 

WABEBOOMS,  U9,  151,  153,  155  EAST  UTH  ST.,  N.  T. 


